A team of researchers developed a new model that incorporates all necessary physical processes in planet formation, showing that annular perturbations can trigger the rapid formation of multiple gas giants. The results match latest observations and indicate more efficient and quick planet formation than previously thought.
An international team has revealed that sub-Neptunes exist in two distinct populations: dense and less dense. The research suggests a physical link between resonance and density, with planets in resonant systems being less dense due to formation processes involving collisions and fusion.
Four transiting short-period mini-Neptunes orbiting red dwarfs have been discovered, with radii 2-3 times that of Earth and orbital periods under eight days. Their interiors likely contain volatiles and atmospheres, suggesting non-rocky composition.
Astronomers have discovered a sulfurous atmosphere on the smallest and coldest exoplanet known, providing clues to its formation process. The planet's unique orbit and composition offer insights into how planets are created.
The newly discovered exoplanet, nicknamed Phoenix, has a surprisingly large and dense atmosphere, challenging current understanding of planetary evolution in extreme environments. Scientists estimate that the planet will survive for only 100 million years before dying due to its proximity to the star.
A team of international researchers has measured the molecular diffusion coefficient of a supercritical fluid, revealing a gradual transition from gas-like to liquid-like behavior across the Widom line. This study contributes to our understanding of supercritical fluid dynamics and holds implications for planetary science.
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided new insights into the mysterious case of WASP-107 b, an exoplanet that defies explanation due to its inflated size. Data collected by Webb shows surprisingly little methane in the planet's atmosphere, indicating a significantly hotter interior and core mass than previously estimated.
Scientists have discovered a new planet called WASP-193b that is 50% bigger than Jupiter yet has a density comparable to cotton candy. The planet's low density makes it an outlier among the over 5,400 planets discovered so far.
A team of researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope has detected signs of an atmosphere around 55 Cancri e, a rocky exoplanet. The planet's surface is estimated to be molten, but the team believes it may have a secondary atmosphere that could provide insights into habitable planets.
Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have detected atmospheric gases surrounding 55 Cancri e, a hot rocky exoplanet. The discovery provides evidence for the existence of any rocky planet atmosphere outside our solar system, a long-standing mystery in exoplanet characterization.
A team of astronomers and citizen scientists has discovered a planet in the habitable zone of an unusual star system, including two stars and potentially another exoplanet. The newly discovered planet, TOI 4633 c, boasts the second-longest orbit of any planet discovered with TESS data.
A University of Leicester-led study suggests that the orbital instability of the giant planets in our Solar System occurred between 60-100 million years after its beginning, based on analysis of enstatite meteorites. This instability is believed to have led to the formation of the Moon and may have impacted the habitability of Earth.
New study dates the Solar System's giant planet migration to between 60 and 100 million years after formation, based on analysis of chondrite meteorites. The findings may also shed light on the conditions that led to Earth's moon formation.
A new study using the James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first-ever image of a planet-forming disk's gas dispersal, providing insights into how planets form in our solar system. The observations reveal that the inner disk of T Cha is evolving on very short timescales, differing from earlier spectra detected by Spitzer.
A team of UCF scientists used the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze the elemental composition of a binary duo in the Kuiper Belt, revealing clues about Neptune's formation. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamical history of Neptune and its neighboring objects.
The discovery of J0529-4351 reveals the most luminous object in the known Universe, with a mass of 17 billion Suns and an accretion disc seven light-years in diameter. The quasar's brightness surpasses that of 500 trillion Suns, providing valuable insights into supermassive black holes and their role in shaping the early Universe.
Researchers found evidence of hydrothermal or metamorphic activity within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, which have methane deposits with geochemical origins. The discovery suggests elevated temperatures in their rocky cores, potentially leading to liquid water and habitability.
Researchers from Ohio State University tested upcoming telescopes' ability to detect chemical traces of oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane and water on 10 rocky exoplanets. The study found that two nearby worlds, Proxima Centauri b and GJ 887 b, are highly adept at detecting biosignatures with advanced telescopes.
Research findings show seagrasses have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in marine environments, including genome duplication and fine-tuning of supportive pathways. The study's results provide clues for conserving and sustainably using these important ecosystems.
The samples from Wild 2 comet have revealed a record of the solar system's dynamic formative years, shedding light on the events that shaped its history. Researchers have found unusual carbon-iron assemblages and precursors to igneous spherules in the comet material.
Astronomers have discovered a small, cold exoplanet with an orbital period of 146 days, providing insight into planetary formation and evolution. The planet, HD88986b, is about twice the size of Earth and orbits a star similar to the Sun.
Researchers used data from Hubble Space Telescope to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus, revealing they are a similar shade of greenish blue. The main difference is that Neptune has a slight hint of additional blue due to a thinner haze layer on that planet.
A newly discovered Neptune-mass exoplanet orbits a very low-mass M dwarf star, LHS 3154, in just 3.7 days, defying theoretical predictions that smaller stars shouldn't host massive planets. The discovery highlights the need for revised planet formation models.
The James Webb Space Telescope observed the exoplanet WASP-80 b and detected methane gas and water vapor in its atmosphere. This is the first detection of methane in an exoplanet's atmosphere using space-based spectroscopy.
The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the presence of water vapour, sulfur dioxide, and silicate sand clouds in the atmosphere of WASP-107b. The discovery sheds light on the dynamic atmosphere and potential temperature variations that enable these cloud formations.
University of Leicester astronomers confirm the existence of an infrared aurora on Uranus, offering clues to its magnetic fields and potential for life. The discovery may also help identify other habitable planets with similar characteristics.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, an exoplanet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and potential for a water ocean surface. The findings support the hypothesis that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet, making it a promising environment to search for life.
Astronomers have found a Neptune-sized planet denser than steel, suggesting extreme planetary collisions that stripped away lighter atmosphere and water. The discovery provides new insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
Astronomers have discovered a surprising link between Neptune's cloud abundance and the 11-year solar cycle. The study found that two years after the solar cycle's peak, clouds on Neptune increase in number. The team believes UV radiation from the Sun may be triggering photochemical reactions that produce clouds.
A new study has captured the early stages of planetary evolution, observing a young gas planet's violent and erratic atmospheric shedding. The research, led by Dartmouth researchers, provides insights into the most common experiences of planets beyond our solar system.
The CHEOPS satellite has successfully detected two elusive exoplanets, TOI 5678 b and HIP 9618 c, using its precise measurements. The planets have sizes similar to Neptune and Earth radii, respectively, with orbital periods of 48 days and 52.5 days.
Astronomers at MIT and University of Wisconsin have discovered two validated planets, K2-416 b and K2-417 b, in Kepler's last week of high-quality data. The third planet candidate, EPIC 246251988 b, orbits its star every 10 days and is slightly farther away from Earth than the other two.
A team of astrophysicists and citizen scientists have identified three potentially habitable exoplanets discovered during NASA's Kepler space telescope's final days of operation. The planets, including K2-416 b and K2-417 b, are between the size of Earth and Neptune and orbit their stars closely.
Scientists have discovered the first-ever extrasolar radiation belt, orbiting the brown dwarf LSR J1835+3259. The discovery reveals that this magnetic structure is filled with extremely high-energy electrons and charged particles, sparking new questions about the universality of such phenomena.
A team of researchers used JWST to observe GJ 1214b's atmosphere, discovering water vapor and a reflective haze. The findings suggest the planet is too hot to be habitable but likely contains significant amounts of water.
The telescope has imaged three nested belts extending up to 14 billion miles from the star, with inner belts revealed for the first time. The discovery provides insights into the structure of exoplanetary systems and the formation of planets.
Researchers confirmed a new protoplanet, HD 169142 b, orbiting a star 374 light years away. The planet is estimated to be about 37 astronomical units from its star and has carved an annular gap in the surrounding gas and dust disk.
A team of astronomers discovered a population of reddish Neptunian asteroids, which are thought to have formed beyond the transition boundary between neutral-colored and redder objects. The red coloration suggests these asteroids contain more volatile ices, providing insight into the early Solar System's conditions.
A recent experiment by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane demonstrates that a terrestrial planet in this location would have disastrous effects on the solar system. The simulation found that such a planet could destabilize Earth's orbit, making it far less habitable and potentially ejecting Mercury and Venus from the solar system.
Researchers developed a machine learning model using high-resolution satellite imagery to estimate aboveground carbon stocks in the Amazon. The study found that accounting for uncertainties in forest degradation classification led to lower estimates of mean carbon density, suggesting earlier estimates may have been over-optimistic.
The study reveals that 'similar' planetary systems are the most common type, followed by 'ordered' and then 'anti-ordered' systems. The researchers found that factors such as gas and dust disk mass and star abundance play a crucial role in determining system architecture.
A new ring system has been found around the Pluto-sized dwarf planet Quaoar, which orbits beyond Neptune. The discovery is remarkable because it lies at a distance of over seven planetary radii from its parent body, posing a challenge to existing theories of ring formation.
Researchers used density functional theory to investigate the mechanical properties of superionic ice XVIII, which is thought to make up a large part of Neptune and Uranus. The study found that dislocations in the crystal lattice produce shear, leading to macroscopic deformations and potentially influencing the planets' magnetic fields.
A team from UNIGE has observed a sample of planets at the edge of the Hot Neptune Desert to understand its creation. They found that most of these planets have an orbit misaligned with the stellar equator, indicating disruptive migration processes.
Julie Castillo-Rogez and Martin Jutzi have made significant contributions to understanding asteroids, including their origins and dynamical evolution. Their work has advanced our knowledge of asteroids, from small bodies to planetary scales, with implications for ongoing space missions.
A new study suggests that Saturn's tilted axis is due to the loss of an ancient moon, Chrysalis, which collided with the planet around 160 million years ago. The collision caused the satellite to break apart, releasing fragments that formed the planet's rings and leaving Saturn out of Neptune's gravitational resonance.
Researchers propose that a violent event 150 million years ago destroyed a moon called Chrysalis, causing Saturn's iconic rings to form recently. This event could also explain Titan's eccentricity and Saturn's obliquity, providing a possible solution to long-standing puzzles in planetary formation.
Astronomers have discovered a small Neptune-like planet in the protoplanetary disk LkCa 15, using high-resolution ALMA observations. The planet is estimated to be around one to three million years old and has accumulated material at the Lagrange points, providing strong evidence for its presence.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have successfully created nanodiamonds out of PET plastic using powerful laser flashes. This breakthrough method opens up new possibilities for producing these minuscule diamonds, which are needed for highly-sensitive quantum sensors and medical contrast agents.
Researchers found that oxygen makes diamond formation more likely, allowing for a wider range of conditions and planets. This discovery could lead to new methods of fabricating nanodiamonds with various applications.
Astronomers used the VLBA to trace a wobble in a nearby star's motion and discovered a Jupiter-like planet orbiting one of its stars. The planet has twice the mass of Jupiter and orbits every 284 days, with an inclined orbit of 148 degrees from the stars.
Researchers discovered a Neptune-sized planet around a bright blue star, shedding light on the dearth of Hot Neptunes. The planet's proximity to its star makes it susceptible to stripping of its gas, but it may survive for a billion years.
New research by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane suggests that Jupiter's four main moons would quickly destroy any large ring formations. This prevents Jupiter from having substantial rings, unlike Saturn. The study provides evidence of catastrophic events in the past through the analysis of ring compositions and shapes.
The Gemini North telescope has helped astronomers understand why Uranus and Neptune have different colors. Excess haze on Uranus builds up in its stagnant atmosphere, making it appear lighter than Neptune's. The team developed a single atmospheric model that matches observations of both planets.
A new theory offers an explanation for the formation and evolution of gas giants in our solar system, proposing that a 'rebound' effect triggered their current paths. Researchers found that the primordial gas disk dissipated from the inside out, providing a natural trigger for the instability.
A team of researchers from Brigham Young University has solved the mystery of Haumea's origin by re-evaluating assumptions about its formation. By considering the dwarf planet in the context of the broader solar system creation, they proposed a new explanation that explains why Haumea is one of the fastest spinning objects and covered ...
A new study by University of Leicester researchers reveals Neptune's atmospheric temperatures have dropped by roughly 8 degrees Celsius between 2003 and 2018, with unexpected stratospheric warming at the south pole. The cause of these changes is currently unknown, but may be related to seasonal variations in atmospheric chemistry.
A team of researchers has discovered a young protoplanet forming in the disk of a nearby star, providing new evidence for an alternative planet formation mechanism. The study's findings challenge traditional models of planet formation and offer insights into the evolution of exoplanets.
Dr Henrik Melin, a researcher at the University of Leicester, has been awarded the third-ever Webb Fellowship to study the atmospheres of giant planets using the James Webb Space Telescope. He aims to understand the mechanisms driving powerful aurorae on these planets and address the 'energy crisis' in their upper atmospheres.
Astronomers have identified two mini-Neptune planets losing their puffy atmospheres, transforming into super-Earths. The gas escaping these planets is driven by stellar radiation, with some gas flowing towards the star.