Researchers subjected hydrocarbon samples in a laboratory to Neptune-like pressures. The samples, reminiscent of molecules found in the ice giant’s atmosphere, compressed into nanodiamonds.

Kimberly M. S. Cartier
Kimberly M. S. Cartier, Senior Science Reporter for Eos.org, joined the Eos staff in 2017 after earning her Ph.D. studying extrasolar planets. Kimberly covers space science, climate change, and STEM diversity, justice, and education
Largest Flare of Past 9 Years Erupts from Sun
A massive flare and blast of charged particles toward Earth may disrupt satellites and communications and push auroras toward lower latitudes through tomorrow, according to space weather experts.
Ancient Maya May Have Foreseen Meteor Showers
Modern astronomical techniques have uncovered clues to a possible facet of Mayan astronomy from nearly 2 millennia ago not found in surviving records.
Southern Greenland Wildfire Extinguished
Scientists are still investigating the cause, fuel source, and overall impact of the weeks-long blaze.
Quakes Pack More Punch in Eastern Than in Central United States
A new finding rests on the recognition that fault types differ between the two regions. It helps explain prior evidence that human-induced quakes and natural ones behave the same in the nation’s center.
Gearing Up for Fall Semester
Geoscience professors explain how they use their summertime to get ready for teaching, researching, and mentoring when the school year begins again.
Airborne Laser Spectroscopy System Can Map Atmospheric Gases
A new versatile spectroscopy system could create ultraprecise maps of Earth’s atmosphere, detect methane emission sources, and scan for chemical weapons.
Storm Model Foresaw Tornado Precursor Hours Before Twister Hit
The experimental Warn-on-Forecast project calculates probabilities of severe weather within at-risk areas smaller than those targeted by current forecasting models.
USGS Library Cuts Would Harm Research, Education, Say Scientists
Possible budget drop would halt access by researchers, educators, and the public to nondigitized collections and services of U.S. Geological Survey librarians, according to the agency.