Chile’s Atacama Desert Used As Analog for Martian Environment; What Makes This Region Extremely Dry?

Medicine & Technology Jan 01, 2024

As the driest non-polar desert in the world, the Atacama desert seems lifeless, but it is actually used in testing rovers for Martial environment. Read the article to find out more.

Mouse Mummies Found on Sky-High Andean Volcanoes Show That Life Persists in Harsh Mars-Like Environment

Oct 23, 2023

Researchers were able to find 13 leaf-eared mummified mice from several Andean volcano summits. Read to learn more.

World’s Sunniest Spot: Atacama Desert in Chile Catches Rays That Are As Many as Venus, Has the Same Radiation As the Brightest Planet

Jul 23, 2023

On the Altiplano plateau in Chile's Atacama Desert, scientists were able to measure a world record of 2,177 watts of solar radiation per square meter. Read to learn more.

Vast Reserves of Lithium Found in Chile’s Atacama Desert; Will Mining It Affect Environment?

Sep 25, 2022

Read on to know the effects of lithium mining in Chile’s Atacama Desert to the environment, particularly the flamingos.

Well-Preserved Fossils of Flying Reptile Found in Rare Ancient Cemetery in Chile

Apr 07, 2022

Scientists discovered the remains of flying reptiles in an ancient cemetery in Chile's Atacama Desert. Continue reading to know the details.

Origin of Mysterious Black Glassy Rocks in Atacama Desert Found Through Clues Not From Earth

Dec 27, 2021

A new geological study confirmed that the black rocky glass shards in the Atacama Desert were produced by something outside of the deep cosmos 12,000 years ago.

'Flying Dragon' of the North Unearthed at Atacama Desert; Discovery Potential Clue to Unrecorded Dinosaur Migration

Oct 11, 2021

A new paleontological study unearthed a mysterious northern hemisphere dinosaur called the 'flying dragon' in the Atacama desert, comparable to the largest pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus. The flying dragon might be a clue to an unrecorded migration between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Metal-Eating Bacteria Potential Solution to Keep Mining Clean in Chile

Oct 11, 2021

Chile's biotechnology experts are developing a mine-cleaning approach through the help of metal-eating bacteria known as Leptospirillum.

Grisly Remains of First Farmers in Atacama Desert Reveal Brutal Challenges of Living in Driest Place on Earth

Aug 31, 2021

Farming in the Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert in the world, is not easy, evident in the grisly remains of the first farmers dated roughly 3,000 years ago.

Cold Desert Nights: Why It Gets Much Colder Than People Think?

Feb 22, 2021

Humidity and heat are two key players in explaining the drastic temperature changes in arid deserts across the globe.

Ancient Civilization Flourished in the Desert Thanks to Bird Droppings

Jan 25, 2021

A new study shows ancient farmers used seabird guano to fertilize the arid soil of the Atacama Desert.

Atacama Desert Holds Secrets Of 'Life On Mars': Specialists From NASA Use Chemical Laptop

Apr 23, 2017

The Chemical Laptop which was used at the Atacama Desert has the capability to check for amino acids with even just a small drop of the water sample. Amino acids are known to be the building block of life and are widespread in the solar system.