Lewis Dartnell
Astrobiologist
Dr. Lewis Dartnell is an astrobiologist and science author based at the University of Westminster.
Recent articles by Lewis Dartnell
Space rocks can tell us how Earth formed. Now we’ve got a unique way of finding them
Artificially intelligent drones could be used in future to make the search for fallen space rocks an easier task.
This charcoal world has a sapphire sky. When scientists looked, they found something amazing
HAT-P-7b is an ultra-hot exoplanet that's heated to such an extent, its atmosphere is one of the richest in elements yet seen.
Rampaging Jupiter and Saturn had a strange effect on Mars in our early Solar System, scientists say
The movement of planets in the early Solar System could have starved infant Mars.
Astronauts on Mars face being blasted by radiation. Scientists have come up with a clever solution
Could Martian ‘hobbit holes’ protect future colonists from deadly radiation?
There's a strange cloud on Mars that's doing weird things. And scientists very nearly missed it
A 1,800km-long cloud over a Martian mountain holds clues about the Red Planet's atmosphere, and provides a key lesson for planetary science.
This spacecraft is so far away, it sees stars differently. Here's how it could help us navigate the cosmos
Saturn's rings have rainbows, and astronomers may finally have worked out what's causing them
Water-ice spouting from moon Enceladus is creating peculiar striped bands of light in Saturn’s E ring
What causes high and low tides, and does it really have anything to do with the Moon or Sun?
What causes sea tides on Earth, and how is the Moon involved?
There are tiny objects following Earth on its orbit around the Sun. Could they be chips blasted from our Moon?
Evidence of Planet 9 in IRAS and AKARI surveys
Mars may once have had rings, which could help explain where its largest moon came from
Asteroid Belt: what is it and how did it form?
Where is the asteroid belt, and do astronomer really know how it formed? New studies could change what we know about this rocky region of the Solar System.
We could find aliens by detecting solar panels on their planet, but there's a catch...
How far away would aliens have to be to detect life on Earth?
Alien life on the Solar System's icy moons?
Want to explore Earth-like planets? Head to the outer galaxy. But the inner galaxy is where the really interesting worlds are
New study tells you the most interesting parts of the Galaxy to visit as a Federation starship captain.
Rings around strange worlds in the outer Solar System
Cosmic rays from space have multiple uses, from astronomy to investigating ancient pyramids...
When Betelgeuse goes supernova, will it be dangerous to observe through a telescope?
How bright will Betelgeuse be when it goes supernova, and would it be safe to observe through a telescope?
This steamy sauna planet is just 100 lightyears away, and astronomers still can't work out how it formed
What if a hot Jupiter existed in our Solar System?
Imagine if the planet Jupiter orbited much closer to the Sun. What effect would a so-called hot Jupiter have on our Solar System?
Nanorods could terraform Mars
When meteor showers attack! Forecasters are trying to pin down which comet debris poses a threat to us
If every clock on Earth disappeared, how would we know what time and date it is?
How would you tell the time if every clock on Earth
were suddenly to disappear? Astronomy can help.