Life on Earth has never been so close to an end as during the environmental catastrophe that marked the Permian-Triassic boundary - 252 million years ago. Scientists have long speculated what could have triggered the sudden disappearance of so many organism groups - more than... click to read more

Our neighboring planet Venus is often called Earth's "twin" due to similarities in size, mass, and chemical makeup, but it's also considered to be an unusual planet that scientists are still trying to understand. Whereas Earth's environment can host life, that of Venus is typically... click to read more

Is the Sun a Sun-like star? Asking this oxymoronic question might sound strange to most people, but not to astronomers. Comparing the Sun with other stars is a common technique to better understand the Sun and its behavior. Of particular interest here are stars very... click to read more

In the 21st Century, sea-level rise is one of the most pressing concerns for coastal communities worldwide. However, this is not the first time that humans have been forced to respond to rising sea levels. Sea‑level rise shapes coastlines, causes more frequent flooding events and... click to read more

Today's atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are higher than ever during at least the last 800'000 years. More importantly, the atmospheric levels of this greenhouse gas continue rising at a speed that is unparalleled in our planet's recent geological history. Intensifying extreme weather events and... click to read more