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A carved figure found in northern France, dated to 27,000 years ago, may reflect how hair was styled in a culture that disappeared during the last glacial maximum

A strange kind of geometry governs how particles move inside matter. Now, for the first time, physicists have uncovered its full shape – and it could transform how we design materials

A strange kind of geometry governs how particles move inside matter. Now, for the first time, physicists have uncovered its full shape – and it could transform how we design materials

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  6 Min Read NASA Webb Looks at Earth-Sized, Habitable-Zone Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e

This artist’s concept shows the volatile red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its four most closely orbiting planets. Full image and caption shown below.

Credits:
Artwork: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

Scientists are in the midst of observing the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Careful analysis of the results so far presents several potential scenarios for what the planet’s atmosphere and surface may be like, as NASA science missions lay key groundwork to answer the question, “are we alone in the universe?” 

“Webb’s infrared instruments are giving us more detail than we’ve ever had access to before, and the initial four observations we’ve been able to make of planet e are showing us what we will have to work with when the rest of the information comes in,” said Néstor Espinoza of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, a principal investigator on the research team. Two scientific papers detailing the team’s initial results are published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Image A: Trappist-1 e (Artist’s Concept) This artist’s concept shows the volatile red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its four most closely orbiting planets, all of which have been observed by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Webb has found no definitive signs of an atmosphere around any of these worlds yet.  Artwork: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

Of the seven Earth-sized worlds orbiting the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, planet e is of particular interest because it orbits the star at a distance where water on the surface is theoretically possible — not too hot, not too cold — but only if the planet has an atmosphere. That’s where Webb comes in. Researchers aimed the telescope’s powerful NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instrument at the system as planet e transited, or passed in front of, its star. Starlight passing through the planet’s atmosphere, if there is one, will be partially absorbed, and the corresponding dips in the light spectrum that reaches Webb will tell astronomers what chemicals are found there. With each additional transit, the atmospheric contents become clearer as more data is collected. 

Primary atmosphere unlikely

Though multiple possibilities remain open for planet e because only four transits have been analyzed so far, the researchers feel confident that the planet does not still have its primary, or original, atmosphere. TRAPPIST-1 is a very active star, with frequent flares, so it is not surprising to researchers that any hydrogen-helium atmosphere with which the planet may have formed would have been stripped off by stellar radiation. However many planets, including Earth, build up a heavier secondary atmosphere after losing their primary atmosphere. It is possible that planet e was never able to do this and does not have a secondary atmosphere. Yet researchers say there is an equal chance there is an atmosphere, and the team developed novel approaches to working with Webb’s data to determine planet e’s potential atmospheres and surface environments. 

World of (fewer) possibilities

The researchers say it is unlikely that the atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1 e is dominated by carbon dioxide, analogous to the thick atmosphere of Venus and the thin atmosphere of Mars. However, the researchers also are careful to note that there are no direct parallels with our solar system.

“TRAPPIST-1 is a very different star from our Sun, and so the planetary system around it is also very different, which challenges both our observational and theoretical assumptions,” said team member Nikole Lewis, an associate professor of astronomy at Cornell University. 

If there is liquid water on TRAPPIST-1 e, the researchers say it would be accompanied by a greenhouse effect, in which various gases, particularly carbon dioxide, keep the atmosphere stable and the planet warm.  

“A little greenhouse effect goes a long way,” said Lewis, and the measurements do not rule out adequate carbon dioxide to sustain some water on the surface. According to the team’s analysis, the water could take the form of a global ocean, or cover a smaller area of the planet where the star is at perpetual noon, surrounded by ice. This would be possible because, due to the TRAPPIST-1 planets’ sizes and close orbits to their star, it is thought that they all are tidally locked, with one side always facing the star and one side always in darkness. 

Image B: TRAPPIST-1 e Transmission Spectrum (NIRSpec) This graphic compares data collected by Webb’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) with computer models of exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e with (blue) and without (orange) an atmosphere. Narrow colored bands show the most likely locations of data points for each model. Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Joseph Olmsted (STScI) Innovative new method

Espinoza and co-principal investigator Natalie Allen of Johns Hopkins University are leading a team that is currently making 15 additional observations of planet e, with an innovative twist. The scientists are timing the observations so that Webb catches both planets b and e transiting the star one right after the other. After previous Webb observations of planet b, the planet orbiting closest to TRAPPIST-1, scientists are fairly confident it is a bare rock without an atmosphere. This means that signals detected during planet b’s transit can be attributed to the star only, and because planet e transits at nearly the same time, there will be less complication from the star’s variability. Scientists plan to compare the data from both planets, and any indications of chemicals that show up only in planet e’s spectrum can be attributed to its atmosphere. 

“We are really still in the early stages of learning what kind of amazing science we can do with Webb. It’s incredible to measure the details of starlight around Earth-sized planets 40 light-years away and learn what it might be like there, if life could be possible there,” said Ana Glidden, a post-doctoral researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, who led the research on possible atmospheres for planet e. “We’re in a new age of exploration that’s very exciting to be a part of,” she said.

The four transits of TRAPPIST-1 e analyzed in the new papers published today were collected by the JWST Telescope Scientist Team’s DREAMS (Deep Reconnaissance of Exoplanet Atmospheres using Multi-instrument Spectroscopy) collaboration.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

To learn more about Webb, visit:

https://science.nasa.gov/webb

Related Information

Webb Blog: Reconnaissance of Potentially Habitable Worlds with NASA’s Webb

Video: How to Study Exoplanets

Video: How do we learn about a planet’s Atmosphere?

View more about Exoplanets

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Webb Science Themes

Webb Mission Page

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Related Images & Videos

Trappist-1 e (Artist’s Concept)

This artist’s concept shows the volatile red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its four most closely orbiting planets, all of which have been observed by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Webb has found no definitive signs of an atmosphere around any of these worlds yet.

TRAPPIST-1 e Transmission Spectrum (NIRSpec)

This graphic compares data collected by Webb’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) with computer models of exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e with (blue) and without (orange) an atmosphere. Narrow colored bands show the most likely locations of data points for each model.

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Details

Last Updated

Sep 08, 2025

Editor Marty McCoy Contact Laura Betz laura.e.betz@nasa.gov Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contact

Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Leah Ramsay
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore, Maryland

Hannah Braun
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore, Maryland

Related Terms

• James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
• Astrophysics
• Exoplanets
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• Science & Research
• The Universe

Related Links and Documents

• The science paper by N. Espinoza et al.
• The science paper by A. Glidden et al.
• JWST Telescope Science Team

Keep Exploring Related Topics

James Webb Space Telescope

Space Telescope

Exoplanets

Exoplanet Stories

Universe

Students prepare their robots to enter Artemis Arena during NASA’s Lunabotics competition on May 20, 2025, at the Center for Space Education near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. NASA/Isaac Watson

As college students across the country embark upon the academic year, NASA is giving them something else to look forward to – the agency’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge. Teams interested in participating can submit their applications and supporting materials through NASA’s Stem Gateway portal beginning Monday, Sept. 8.

Key dates and challenge details are available in the 2026 Lunabotics Challenge Guidebook. Once all applications and supporting materials are received and evaluated, NASA will notify the selected teams to begin the challenge.

Student teams participating in this year’s challenge will create robots capable of building berms out of lunar regolith – the loose, fragmental material on the Moon’s surface. Structures like these will be important during lunar missions as blast protection during lunar landings and launches, shading for cryogenic propellant tank farms, radiation shielding around nuclear power plants, and other uses critical to future Moon missions.

“We are excited to continue the Lunabotics competition for universities as NASA develops new Moon to Mars technologies for the Artemis program,” said Robert Mueller, senior technologist at NASA, as well as co-founder and chief judge of the Lunabotics competition. “Excavating and moving regolith is a fundamental need to build infrastructure on the Moon and Mars and this competition creates 21st century skills in the future workforce.”

An in-person qualifying event will be held May 12-17, 2026, at the University of Central Florida’s Space Institute’s Exolith Lab in Orlando. From this round, the top 10 teams will be invited to bring their robots to the final competition on May 19-21, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Artemis Arena in Florida, which has an area filled with a lunar regolith simulant. The team scoring the most points will receive the Lunabotics Grand Prize and participate in an exhibition-style event at NASA Kennedy.

By encouraging innovative construction techniques and assessing student designs and data the same way it does its own prototypes, NASA casts a wider net to find innovative solutions to challenges inherent in future Artemis missions, like developing future lunar excavators, in-situ resource utilization capabilities, and living on the Moon or Mars. With its multidisciplinary approach, Lunabotics also serves as a workforce pipeline, with teams gaining valuable hands-on experience in computer coding, engineering, manufacturing, fabricating, and other crucial skills, while also receiving technical expertise in space technology development.

NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge, held annually since 2010, is one of several Artemis Student Challenges. The two-semester competition provides U.S. college and technical school teams an opportunity to design, build, and operate a prototype lunar robot using NASA systems engineering processes. Competitions help NASA get innovative design and operational data, reduce risks, and cultivate new ideas needed to return to the Moon under the Artemis campaign to prepare for human exploration of Mars.

To learn more about Lunabotics, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/lunabotics-challenge/

2025

Evening with the Stars 9.10.25

MSBR Rooftop Reception 9.8.25

AIAA Dinner 8.18.25

STScI Event 7.29.25

MSBR Lunch 7.16.25

Rocket Lab Event 7.16.25

MSBR Lunch Reception 6.18.25

2025 Paris Airshow 6.13-19.25

Greater Houston Partnership Reception 6.12.25

Axiom Space X-4 Event

Space Foundation and German Embassy Reception 6.5.25

Mission 2 Moon Landing 6.5.25

H2M Conference and Events 5.28-29.25

Planetary Society 5.19.25

American Rocketry Challenge Reception 5.17.25

Rockets on the Hill Reception 5.16.25

Dayton Development Coalition Event 5.13.25

PA State Day Reception 5.6.25

MSBR STEM Gala 5.2.25

2025 ASF Hall of Fame Gala

AIAA Awards Gala 4.30.25

RNASA Awards Dinner 4.25.25

2025 Space Heroes and Legends Gala

Thunderbird School and Global Management Reception

40th Space Symposium Main Events

GovExec Awards Dinner 4.3.25

AIA Reception.4.2.25

SPI/GWU Dinner.4.2.25

Astrolab and Axiom.3.27.25

SPI/GWU/USRA Symposium.3.27.25

IDGA 18th Annual Event

Artemis VIP Reception.3.24.25

Goddard Memorial Dinner.3.21.25

MSBR Lunch.3.19.25

2025 Satellite Exhibition Event.3.10.25 to 3.13.25

SIA Dinner.3.10.25

67th Laureate Awards Dinner.3.6.25

SPI GWU Dinner.3.5.25

Bae Systems SPHEREx Launch.2.27.25

2025 Artemis Suppliers Conference

Blue Ghost Viewing Event

ServiceNow Forum.2.12.25

MSBR Luncheon.2.19.25

2025 Monthly NSCFL Luncheon

MSBR Lunch.1.22.25

Creole-Queen NOLA Reception.1.13.25

2025 New Glenn Mission 1 Launch Event

2025 Firefly Blue Origin Launch Reception

2024

MeriTalk Reception.12.19.24

Aero Club Award Dinner.12.13.24

Rocket Lab Event.12.13.24

Space Foundation Event.12.13.24

Umbra Lab Inc.12.5.24

Commercial Space Federation Joint Event.12.9.24

AGI Holiday Reception.12.3.24

The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation Event.11.21.24

Planet Labs PBC Reception.11.20.24

Rocket Lab Event.11.19.24

SPI GWU Dinner.11.5.24

Blue Origin and KBR Dinner.10.30.24

JASWDC Gala.10.30.24

SPI GWU Dinner.10.30.24

36th Annual Dr. Wernher von Braun Memorial Dinner

2024 Keystone Space Conference

2024 IAC Event

WIA Reception and Awards Dinner.10.10.24

2024 JPL Europa Clipper Launch Reception.10.8.24

SPI GWU Dinner.9.18.24

2024 VASBA HR AUVSI Gala

Blue Origin Reception.8.27.24

AIA & Amazon Reception.8.26.24

Exolaunch Reception.8.7.24

Farnborough Air Show.7.20-21.24

Artemis II SLS Roll Out Reception.7.15.24

Astroscale Reception Tokyo.7.12.24

Brooke Owens Fellowship Dinner.7.11.24

SpaceX GOES-U Launch

MSBR lunch.6.18.24

NAA Collier Dinner.6.13.24

Greater Cleveland Partnership.6.13-14.24

VAST Space LLC.6.12.24

Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Return to the Moon.6.5.24

The 2024 Infinite Exhibit Grand Opening

AIA and German Embassy Reception.6.4.24

AIA and British Embassy Reception.5.22.24

Space Foundation Event.5.16.24

Foundation Fratelli Tutti Dinners.5.10-11.24

MSBR STEM Gala.5.10.24

H2M Conference and Event.5.7-8.24

SPI/GW Dinner.5.1.24

Astrolab and Axiom.4.30.24

2024 Monthly NSCFL Luncheon

MEI 77th Annual Gala.4.17.24

Crowell & Moring Reception.4.16.24

2024 ASF Hall of Fame Gala

2024 Space Heroes and Legends Awards Dinner

SpaceX Symposium Reception.4.10.24

39th Space Symposium Supplemental

39th Space Symposium Main Events

SPI GWU Dinner.4.5.24

Goddard Memorial Dinner.3.22.24

SPI GW Dinner.3.20.24

AIA and Amazon Reception.3.19.24

MSBR Lunch.3.19.24

AIAA Awards Gala.3.15.24

NASM Event.3.6.24

Planetary Society.3.5.24

Embassy of Australia and Space Foundation.2.29.24

SPI/GWO Dinner.2.27.24

2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference

BDB Engineering Award Event

2024 Aerospace Days Legislative Reception

2024 NG-20 CRS Launch

IDGA 17th Annual Event.1.23 – 24.24

MSBR Lunch 1.16.24

Latino Biden-Harris Appointees Reception.1.11.24

STA Reception.1.11.24

2024 Axiom Space AX-3 Launch Reception

2023

2023 Astrobotic PM1 PreLaunch Reception

AERO Club Awards Dinner.12.15.23

WIA Dinner.12.13.23

MSBR Lunch.12.12.23

SCL and GBM Foundation Reception.12.11.23

LASP and Ball Aerospace Reception.12.11.23

Bayou Classic Brunch

L Oreal USA for Women Event.11.16.23

AAIA Reception.11.15.23

KBR Welcome Reception.11.14.23

SPI GWU Dinner 11.15.23

Museum of Natural History Board Events 11.2.23

USF Reception.10.24.23

Blue Origin KBR Reception

2023 Von Braun Memorial Dinner

Planet Labs PBC Reception.10.26.23

ELI Reception Dinner.10.24.23

OSIRIS REX RECEPTION.10.17.23

WIA Reception and Award Dinner.10.12.23

National Space Club Banquet 2023

Space Foundation and Airbus.10.3.23

IAC Event

NAHF Dinner Ceremony.9.22.23

2023 VASBA HR AUVSI Gala and Symposium

2023 Psyche Mission Team

SPI GWU Dinner 9.13.23

AIA Congress Space Reception.9.7.23

 MSBR Lunch 8.16.23

 WAG NG CRS 7-24-23

 2023 ASF Innovators Gala

 Space Foundation Reception 7.19.23

 Chamber of Commerce Reception.7.13.23

 ECI Fellows Meeting.7.12 to 7.14.23

 Embassy of Italy and Virgin Galactic.7.12.23

 JWST Reception 7.13.23

 Brook Owens Fellowship Dinner 7.13.23

 Comteck and Airbus Space Defense 07.11.23.

 Calgary Stampede.7.7.23

 CLD Reception.6.20.23

 CFA SAO Reception.6.15.23

 Paris Air Show.6.17-20.23

 UCAR Reception 6.7.23

 Space Forum 2023

 Rocket Lab TROPICS.5.18.23

 2023 Axiom Space AX-2 Launch Event WAG

 SW SPI Dinner 5.9.23

 H2M WAG 2023

 MSBR STEM Gala 5.5.23

 AIAA Awards Gala Event 5.18.23

 38th Space Symposium 4.16 to 4.20.23

 Planet Labs PGC Reception.4.13.23

 AL-23-009 RNASA

 2023 TEMPO Pre-Launch Reception

 MSBR Lunch 4.4.23

 Coalition for Deep Space Exploration SLS Orion EGS Gateway Suppliers 3.26.23

 Orion SLS Conference 3.27 to 3.28.23

 EWDC Event.3.23.23

 2023 Agency WAG Debus Award Banquet

 VHMC And Boeing Reception 3.18.23

 Ball Aerospace Kinship Reception 3.15.23

 Airbus Defence Event 3.14.23

 Terran Orbital Event 3.15.23

 SpaceX Satellite Reception 3.13.23

 SPI GWU Dinner 3.9.23

 Goddard Memorial Dinner 3.10.23

 2023 Agency Wag AHOF Gala

Space Foundation Event 2.16.23

BDB National Engineers Week 2023 Banquet
MSBR Lunch 2.28.23
STA Luncheon 2.7.23
WSBR Reception 2.1.23
SPI GWU SWF Reception 1.31.23
Artemis I Splashdown 01.17.23
MSBR Lunch 1.17.23

2022

GRC An Evening With the Stars 8.30.22
JPL 25 Years on Mars Reception 7.27.22
SPI GWU Dinner 7.6.22
Berlin Air Show 6.22-26.22
MSBR Lunch 6.21.22
KSC Gateway VIP Rception 6.14.22
MSBR Dinner Gala 6.10.22
NAA Robert J. Collier Awards Dinner 6.9.22
Advanced Space and Rocket Lab Capstone Event 6.8.22
AIA Challenger Center Reception 6.2.22
2022 H2M Summit 5.17-19.22
MSBR Lunch 5.17.22
FCW GovExec Awards Dinner 5.12.22
Meta Reception 5.4.22
JSC RNASA Luncheon and Dinner 4.29.22
Coalition for Deep Space Reception 4.28.22
SLS Orion EGS Suppliers Conference 4.28-29.22
SPI GWU Dinner 4.27.22
AIAA Awards Gala Dinner 4.27.22
MSBR Luncheon 4.19.2022
Arianespace Northrop Grumman JWST Reception 4.5.22
37th Space Symposium 4.4 to 7.22
Axiom Space Launch Event 3.30.22
Heinrich Boell Foundation Dinner 3.30.22
Aarianespace Reception 3.23.22
SIA Conference Events 3.21-23.22 Revised
Satellite Industry Association Reception 3.21.22
Goddard Memorial Dinner 3.18.22
GOES-T Post-Launch Reception 3.1.22
Goes-T L3 Harris Reception 3.1.22
Christopher Newport University Dinner 02.23.22
NG-17 CRS Launch Events VA 2.19.22
SPI GWU Dinner 02.04.2022
MSBR Dinner 01.18.2022
KSC CCTS Spaceport Summit 1.11-12.22

2021

JWST Launch 12.25.21
Aero Club Awards Reception 12.17.21
KSC NSC Celebrate Space 12.10.21
AGI Ansys Reception 12.10.21
KSC Ball Aerospace IXPE Launch Celebration Reception 12.7.21
WIA Awards Dinner 12.2.21
National Space Council Recognition Reception 12.1.21
SPI Dinner 11.16.21
AIAA ASCEND Event 11.15.21
AIAA Ascend 2021 Reception Dinner Las Vegs 11.14.21
KSC Astronaut Hall of Fame Event 11.13.21
KSC DNC Taste of Space Event 11.5.21
SPI Dinner 11.2.21
IAC Closing Gala 10.29.21
GRC Evening With The Stars 10.27.21
Goddard Memorial Awards Dinner 10.22.21
IAC 2021
Lucy Post Launch Dinner 10.16.21
KSC Lucy Launch Mission Events 10.12-13.21
United Airlines Reception 10.12.21
Blue Origin Launch 10.12.21
SPI Dinner on or about 9.28.21
Goddard Memorial Dinner 9.17.21 CANCELLED
SPI Dinner 9.7.21
RNASA Awards Dinner and Luncheon 9.3.21
GRC Evening With the Stars 8.31.21
FED100 Gala Awards Dinner 8.27.21
Addendum to 36th Space Symposium 8.22-26.21
36th Space Symposium 8.22-26.21
KSC ASF Innovators Gala 8.14.21
NG16 Launch Events 8.10.21
LaRC Virginia Space Reception 7.30.21
KSC 2021 Debus Award Dinner 7.30.21
Coalition for Deep Space 07.22.21
KSC Lockheed WAS Star Center Reception 7.15.21

2020

United Launch Alliance Satellite 2020 Reception 3.10.20
SpaceX Reception 3.9.20
U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2020 Aviation Summit 3.5.20
Maryland Space Business Roundtable Lunch 2.18.20
SLS Orion Suppliers Conference 2.12.20
Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Reception 2.11.20
Northrop Grumman NG-13 CRS Launch Events 2.9.20
VA UAS AeroSpace Legislative Reception 1.29.20
MSBR Lunch 1.21.20
Guidance Keough School of Global Affairs 1.16.20
Boeing Orbital Flight Test Launch Events 12.20.19
Virgin Space Reception 12.17.19
SEA Summit 12.17.19
Wright Memorial Dinner 12.13.19
Analytical Graphics AGI Reception 12.13.19
Ball Reception 12.10.19
MSBR Lunch 12.3.19
Plant Reception 11.20.19
JSC Spacecom Conference VIP Reception 11.20.19
JSC Spacecom Conference Reception 11.19.19
SAIC BSU STEM Roundtable 11.07.19
Apollo UK Productions Ltd 7.10.19
SpaceX Satellite Reception 5.6.19
SPI GWU Dinner 5.1.19
AIAA Reception 4.30.19
MSBR Lunch 1.21.20
MSBR Lunch 1.21.20

What role can the relationship between oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3) in exoplanet atmospheres have on detecting biosignatures? This is what a recent study submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics hopes to address as an international team of researchers investigated novel methods for identifying and analyzing Earth-like atmospheres. This study has the potential to help scientists develop new methods for identifying exoplanet biosignatures, and potentially life as we know it.

When NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returned from its mission to asteroid Bennu in 2023, it brought back more than just ancient space rocks, it delivered answers to puzzles that have baffled astronomers for years. Among the most intriguing questions was why asteroids that should look identical through telescopes appear strikingly different colours from Earth.

The recent discovery of the third known interstellar object (ISO), 3I/ATLAS, has brought about another round of debate on whether these objects could potentially be technological in origin. Everything from random YouTube channels to tenured Harvard professors have thoughts about whether ISOs might actually be spaceships, but the general consensus of the scientific community is that they aren’t. Overturning that consensus would require a lot of “extraordinary evidence”, and a new paper led by James Davenport at the DiRAC Institute at the University of Washington lays out some of the ways that astronomers could collect that evidence for either the current ISO or any new ones we might find.

A new review study examines the “gut virome”: the microbiome’s mysterious viral population

A common nasal spray shows promise in reducing COVID risk, but vaccine access remains tangled in policy in the U.S.

A device made from superconducting qubits could prove a powerful technology for enabling practical quantum computing or more experimental propositions like quantum machine learning

A device made from superconducting qubits could prove a powerful technology for enabling practical quantum computing or more experimental propositions like quantum machine learning

A child of the Space Shuttle Program, Jeni Morrison grew up walking the grounds of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston with her parents and listening to family stories about human spaceflight. 

Now, with more than 15 years at NASA, Morrison serves as one of Johnson’s Environmental Programs managers. She ensures the center complies with laws that protect its resources by overseeing regulatory compliance for cultural and natural resources, stormwater and drinking water programs, and the National Environmental Policy Act. She also safeguards Johnson’s historic legacy as Johnson’s Cultural Resources manager. 

Jeni Morrison in the mall area at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where employees often see local wildlife, including turtles, birds, deer, and the occasional alligator.

“I make sure our actions comply with the National Historic Preservation act, since the center is considered a historic district with two National Historic Landmarks onsite,” Morrison said. “I make sure we respect and document Johnson’s heritage while paving the way for new efforts and mission objectives.” 

Morrison takes pride in finding solutions that increase efficiency while protecting resources. One example was a project with Johnson’s Geographic Information System team to create an interactive material and chemical spill plan map. The new system helps responders quickly trace spill paths above and underground to deploy resources faster, reducing cleanup costs and minimizing environmental impacts. 

“Every improvement we make not only saves time and resources, but strengthens our ability to support NASA’s mission,” she said.  

By the very nature of our work, NASA makes history all the time. That history is important for all people, both to remember the sacrifices and accomplishments of so many, but also to ensure we don’t repeat mistakes as we strive for even bolder achievements.

Jeni Morrison

Environmental Program Manager

Jeni Morrison presents an overview of environmental compliance and center initiatives to employees at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2014. NASA/Lauren Harnett

For Morrison, success often comes down to teamwork. She has learned to adapt her style to colleagues’ needs to strengthen collaboration.  

“By making the effort to accommodate others’ communication styles and learn from different perspectives, we create better, more efficient work,” she said. “Thankfully, so many people here at NASA are willing to teach and to share their experiences.”  

Her message to the Artemis Generation is simple: Always keep learning! 

“You never know when a side conversation could give you an answer to a problem you are facing down the line,” she said. “You must be willing to ask questions and learn something new to find those connections.” 

Jeni Morrison (second from right) with the Biobased Coolant Project Team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2018. The team tested biobased metalworking coolants and identified a product that outperformed petroleum-based options, meeting flight hardware specifications while reducing waste disposal costs and labor hours. Even as a young child visiting NASA Johnson, I could feel the sense of adventure, accomplishment, and the drive to reach new heights of human capability. I realize that those experiences gave me a fascination with learning and an inherent need to find ways to do things better.

jENI mORRISON

Environmental Program Manager

Her passion for learning and discovery connects to a family tradition at NASA. Her grandfather contributed to multiple Apollo missions, including helping solve the oxygen tank malfunction on Apollo 13. Her mother worked at the center transcribing astronaut recordings and writing proposals, and her father flew experiments aboard the space shuttle and International Space Station. Morrison’s sister and extended family also worked at Johnson.  

Now her son is growing up on the center grounds while attending the JSC Child Care Center. “As the fourth generation to be at Johnson, he is already talking about how he loves science and can’t wait to do his own experiments,” she said. 

For Morrison, carrying that family legacy forward through environmental stewardship is a privilege. “Being able to contribute to NASA’s mission through environmental compliance feels like the best of both worlds for me,” Morrison said. “It combines my love of science and NASA with my drive to find more efficient ways to operate while protecting this incredible site and everything it represents.” 

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A child of the Space Shuttle Program, Jeni Morrison grew up walking the grounds of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston with her parents and listening to family stories about human spaceflight. 

Now, with more than 15 years at NASA, Morrison serves as one of Johnson’s Environmental Programs managers. She ensures the center complies with laws that protect its resources by overseeing regulatory compliance for cultural and natural resources, stormwater and drinking water programs, and the National Environmental Policy Act. She also safeguards Johnson’s historic legacy as Johnson’s Cultural Resources manager. 

Jeni Morrison in the mall area at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where employees often see local wildlife, including turtles, birds, deer, and the occasional alligator.

“I make sure our actions comply with the National Historic Preservation act, since the center is considered a historic district with two National Historic Landmarks onsite,” Morrison said. “I make sure we respect and document Johnson’s heritage while paving the way for new efforts and mission objectives.” 

Morrison takes pride in finding solutions that increase efficiency while protecting resources. One example was a project with Johnson’s Geographic Information System team to create an interactive material and chemical spill plan map. The new system helps responders quickly trace spill paths above and underground to deploy resources faster, reducing cleanup costs and minimizing environmental impacts. 

“Every improvement we make not only saves time and resources, but strengthens our ability to support NASA’s mission,” she said.  

By the very nature of our work, NASA makes history all the time. That history is important for all people, both to remember the sacrifices and accomplishments of so many, but also to ensure we don’t repeat mistakes as we strive for even bolder achievements.

Jeni Morrison

Environmental Program Manager

Jeni Morrison presents an overview of environmental compliance and center initiatives to employees at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2014. NASA/Lauren Harnett

For Morrison, success often comes down to teamwork. She has learned to adapt her style to colleagues’ needs to strengthen collaboration.  

“By making the effort to accommodate others’ communication styles and learn from different perspectives, we create better, more efficient work,” she said. “Thankfully, so many people here at NASA are willing to teach and to share their experiences.”  

Her message to the Artemis Generation is simple: Always keep learning! 

“You never know when a side conversation could give you an answer to a problem you are facing down the line,” she said. “You must be willing to ask questions and learn something new to find those connections.” 

Jeni Morrison (second from right) with the Biobased Coolant Project Team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2018. The team tested biobased metalworking coolants and identified a product that outperformed petroleum-based options, meeting flight hardware specifications while reducing waste disposal costs and labor hours. Even as a young child visiting NASA Johnson, I could feel the sense of adventure, accomplishment, and the drive to reach new heights of human capability. I realize that those experiences gave me a fascination with learning and an inherent need to find ways to do things better.

jENI mORRISON

Environmental Program Manager

Her passion for learning and discovery connects to a family tradition at NASA. Her grandfather contributed to multiple Apollo missions, including helping solve the oxygen tank malfunction on Apollo 13. Her mother worked at the center transcribing astronaut recordings and writing proposals, and her father flew experiments aboard the space shuttle and International Space Station. Morrison’s sister and extended family also worked at Johnson.  

Now her son is growing up on the center grounds while attending the JSC Child Care Center. “As the fourth generation to be at Johnson, he is already talking about how he loves science and can’t wait to do his own experiments,” she said. 

For Morrison, carrying that family legacy forward through environmental stewardship is a privilege. “Being able to contribute to NASA’s mission through environmental compliance feels like the best of both worlds for me,” Morrison said. “It combines my love of science and NASA with my drive to find more efficient ways to operate while protecting this incredible site and everything it represents.” 

Explore More 4 min read Mark Cavanaugh: Integrating Safety into the Orion Spacecraft  Article 1 month ago 6 min read She Speaks for the Samples: Meet Dr. Juliane Gross, Artemis Campaign Sample Curation Lead  Article 5 months ago 5 min read Johnson’s Jason Foster Recognized for New Technology Reporting Record Article 3 months ago

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