Lewis Dartnell
Astrobiologist
Dr. Lewis Dartnell is an astrobiologist and science author based at the University of Westminster.
Recent articles by Lewis Dartnell
If this type of planet existed in our Solar System, Earth would be in serious danger
Imagine if the planet Jupiter orbited much closer to the Sun. What effect would a so-called hot Jupiter have on our Solar System?
This star is so weird, some think it could host an alien megastructure. Now scientists may finally have solved the mystery
Why is the star known as Tabby's Star so weird?
Evidence of Planet 9 in IRAS and AKARI surveys
Planet 9 is the hypothetical ninth planet in our Solar System. Has it finally been found?
Earth's magnetic poles may be about to flip again. Here's how it could affect our climate
Solar radiation at the equator surges when Earth’s magnetic field reverses.
Saturn's largest moon has enormous lakes and ferocious winds. Sounds like Earth? There's one key difference
The Saturnian moon Titan has lakes with remarkably gentle breezes not dissimilar to Earth's
If you stood on Mars, you could see Earth pass in front of the Sun. This is what it would look like
It's possible to see transits of Venus and Mercury from our planet, but could a Martian astronomer see a transit of Earth?
We’ll soon see the flash when two alien planets collide – and it'll dramatically transform our understanding of the Universe
The glowing aftermath of giant impacts
may reveal how rocky worlds take shape
This Japanese spacecraft is on its way to an asteroid – but could it be about to encounter a lost Soviet spacecraft instead?
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft is on its way to rendezvous with comet 1998 KY26. Could it be unwittingly chasing and old Soviet Mars probe?
How small can an Earth-like planet be and still host alien life? Scientists have used a genius trick to answer that very question
Study pinpoints which rocky worlds could hang on to a life-supporting atmosphere
One of the largest asteroid craters on Earth is much bigger than we thought – and may have had devastating consequences
The impact that produced Zhamanshin could have released energy equivalent to an explosion of over 240,000 million tonnes of TNT
Mars will tear its own moon apart. Now scientists think it could be sooner – and more destructive – than expected
New modelling suggests the Martian moon Phobos’s demise could be earlier – and much more dramatic – than expected
Aliens may be rare because coal is rare. Scientists say fossil fuels may be vital for technological civilisations to emerge
Is technology on alien worlds reliant on fossil fuels?
This is what our nearest galaxy would look like if we went there, and how our Solar System would appear
What would Earth and the Sun look like when viewed from the Andromeda Galaxy? And what would the galaxy look like if we could travel there?
What would happen to our Solar System if Earth were replaced by a super Earth?
Computer simulations reveal what would happen to our Solar System if Earth were much bigger and orbited further from the Sun.
NASA Artemis Moon base would face a silent threat on the lunar surface. Has science found a solution?
Saving lunar settlers from rock strikes
is all down to shielding and location
Humans may be too heavy to land on Mars. Scientists pinpoint the dangers of future crewed missions
Landing humans on Mars comes with all sorts of difficulties. But could a key issue be the weight of a lander and its cargo?
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.
We may be able to turn Mars green. Here's how science says we'll make the Red Planet habitable
There's a side of the Moon we never see from Earth. Scientists think they've worked out why it's so strange
There could be hidden liquid oceans on the moons of Uranus
Uranus's magnetic field could help future missions peer beneath the icy surface of its moons.
A nearby exploding star could wipe out life on Earth. But there's one thing that might save us
How devastating would a supernova explosion be if it were too close to Earth, and could our planet's magnetic field stifle the blast?
Scientists are discovering underground caves on Mars using a surprising method
Bare, hostile alien worlds may be able to host life after all, after astronomers made one key change
Our Moon is drifting into space. Here's one way that'll change our planet over billions of years
Marks left by tides billions of years ago suggest the Moon lay much closer.
