A decade-long study has taken a census of the deep biosphere extending several miles into our planet's crust. Read more.
Unidentified nematode (worm) in a biofilm of microorganisms - from a gold mine in South Africa - found living nearly a mile (1.4 km) below Earth's surface. Image via Gaetan Borgonie/Deep Carbon Observatory.
Tonight, the expected peak night of the Geminid meteor shower, the moon will be close to Mars on the sky's dome. Watch for Mars and the moon shortly after sunset and into the early evening. Read more about December planets.
Why is the Geminid meteor shower best around 2 a.m.? It's because that's when the shower's radiant point - near the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini - is highest in the sky. Read more.