Researchers from University of New Mexico and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have detected two long-period giant planets orbiting an early K dwarf star. The exoplanets, TOI-4600 b and c, have orbital periods of 82.69 days and 482.82 days, respectively, making them the longest-period planets found by TESS to date.
SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2023
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.
SourceDartmouth College·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2023
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The James Webb Space Telescope has detected water vapor in the inner disk of PDS 70, a star with both an inner and outer disk of gas and dust. This discovery suggests that rocky planets may form with water available to them from the beginning.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2023
A new study by NASA and Japan's Osaka University suggests that rogue planets, drifting through space without a star, may outnumber stars with orbiting worlds. The Roman Space Telescope could discover up to 400 Earth-mass rogue planets, according to the findings.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateJul 19, 2023
Using ALMA, astronomers have found evidence of a cloud of debris that might be the building blocks of a new planet or the remnants of one already formed. This discovery would confirm the existence of Trojan planets outside our Solar System, which are rocky bodies sharing the same orbit as a planet.
SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJul 19, 2023
Scientists have discovered a young exoplanet, MWC 758c, that may be generating the spiral arms in its infant planetary system. The planet's massive size is estimated to be at least twice the mass of Jupiter, yet it was invisible to other telescopes due to its reddish color, which makes it more difficult to detect.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 6, 2023
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The study finds that TRAPPIST-1 c has a extremely thin atmosphere, if it exists at all. The planet's dayside temperature is the coolest ever characterized, suggesting it may be a bare rock with no atmosphere.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2023
Researchers believe Earth's formation was facilitated by the accumulation of small pebbles, resulting in the presence of water as a byproduct. This new theory increases the likelihood of finding habitable planets outside our Solar System.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateJun 14, 2023
Researchers have discovered a large gas giant orbiting two stars using the radial velocities method for the first time. The newly found system, TOI-1338/BEBOP-1, is only the second binary star system known to host multiple planets ever confirmed.
SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2023
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.
SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2023
A study by Indiana University astronomer Songhu Wang reveals that at least a fraction of hot Jupiters cannot form through violent processes, suggesting a new understanding of their evolution. Researchers found 12% of hot Jupiters and 70% of warm Jupiters have nearby planetary companions.
SourceIndiana University·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 7, 2023
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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.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 30, 2023
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.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 30, 2023
New analysis reveals that two-thirds of planets around small stars could be sterilized by tidal forces, leaving one-third with potentially habitable zones. Hundreds of millions of promising targets have been identified for future studies.
SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2023
A new study suggests expanding the search for habitable planets to consider the space between a star and the soot line in planet-forming disks, which could lead to discovering worlds with rich organic carbon and poor water content. This new model proposes that such planets may have more carbon than Earth and potentially harbor life.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 25, 2023
Researchers detect two planets, super-Earths and mini-Neptunes, in a synchronized dance around a cool star. The system's unique configuration could help explain the formation mechanism of these mysterious planetary types.
SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMay 25, 2023
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A team of scientists led by NYU Abu Dhabi researcher Mohamad Ali-Dib discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet named LP 791-18 d. The planet may be carpeted with volcanoes and sustain water in liquid form, making it potentially habitable.
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.
SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 15, 2023
A software program designed by Timothy G. Leighton predicts the environmental sounds of other planets and how human voices might change in distant worlds. The program uses acoustics and planetary science communities to learn about properties such as chemical composition, atmospheric temperature changes, and roughness of the ground.
The discovery of two shadow puppets in the disk of young star TW Hydrae suggests that planets may be forming in a complex system. The shadows are thought to be caused by the gravitational pull of two planets in slightly different orbital planes, with one planet likely to be Jupiter-mass.
SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2023
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For most of its life, a Sun-like star fuses hydrogen into helium in its hot core, causing it to expand and engulf nearby planets. The first direct evidence of this event was observed using the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager, revealing a long-lasting outburst with ejected material containing about 33 Earth masses of hydrogen.
SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMay 3, 2023
Ancient Mayans used an 819-day calendar that covered a much larger timeframe than previously thought. By increasing the calendar length to 20 cycles of 819 days, researchers found a pattern emerges in which the synodic periods of all visible planets align with station points in the larger calendar.
SourceTulane University·JournalAncient Mesoamerica·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 27, 2023
A new study from NASA's Chandra program reveals that exploded stars can pose a significant risk to nearby planets due to intense X-ray radiation, potentially altering atmospheric chemistry and causing mass extinctions.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2023
Researchers found that metal-poor stars, with fewer heavy elements, emit less intense ultraviolet radiation into space. This allows their planets to form a protective ozone layer, making conditions more life-friendly. The study suggests that as the universe ages, it becomes increasingly unfavourable for complex life on new planets.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 18, 2023
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A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalScience·DateApr 13, 2023
An international team of astronomers has discovered an exoplanet using a combined approach of direct imaging and precision measurements of a star's motion on the sky. The newly found planet, HIP 99770 b, is 14-16 times more massive than Jupiter and orbits just over three times further from its star.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope detected the thermal emission of TRAPPIST-1 b, indicating a temperature of about 500 kelvins and no substantial atmosphere. This finding marks an important step in determining habitability around small, active stars like TRAPPIST-1.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2023
Astronomers using JWST discovered that the atmosphere of exoplanet HD149026b, a 'hot Jupiter,' is super-abundant in carbon and oxygen, far above expectations. This finding provides insight into planet formation and suggests that giant planets may have varied atmospheric compositions.
Researchers found giant gas giants orbiting low-mass stars, challenging the widely accepted planet formation model. The study used NASA's TESS satellite data and identified 15 potential giant planets, with five confirmed as actual planets.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 22, 2023
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The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateMar 22, 2023
Astronomers at UC Irvine have found that terminator zones on distant exoplanets could be prime sites for liquid water and potentially harbor life. The study suggests that these regions offer a unique climate stability, making them more promising than previously thought.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 16, 2023
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a model to predict a planet's interior water capacity based on its size and host star chemistry. The results suggest that larger planets may have drier rocky mantles, while smaller ones could hold more water-rich minerals.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 15, 2023
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.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2023
A team from Heidelberg University discovered a new class of asteroids rich in water, similar to dwarf planet Ceres. The small bodies are thought to have formed in a cold region at the edge of the Solar System before being impacted by gravitational disruptions.
SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 20, 2023
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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.
SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateFeb 14, 2023
New research from the University of Georgia reveals that artificial intelligence can be used to find planets outside our solar system. Machine learning can analyze environments where planets are still forming, helping scientists overcome difficulties such as distance and data thickness.
SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateFeb 7, 2023
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.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeNews article·DateJan 18, 2023
A new theory proposes that rocky planets form in a narrow band of the protoplanetary disk, where silicate vapors condense to form solid pebbles. This process creates a ring of material that constitutes the building blocks for planet formation, resulting in uniform systems of rocky super-Earths.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2023
Researchers have identified two exoplanets, Kepler-138c and d, as 'water worlds,' with a significant fraction of their volume likely composed of water. The planets are about one and a half times the size of Earth and have much lower densities than our planet.
SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 15, 2022
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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Two temperate Earth-mass planets orbit GJ 1002, a cool and faint star suitable for atmospheric analysis. The discovery increases the number of known habitable planets to seven near the Sun.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 15, 2022
Astronomers discovered that the building blocks of planets like Jupiter and Saturn form while their parent star is still growing. The study analyzed spectroscopic observations from polluted white dwarfs, which revealed signs of asteroid melting, indicating a rapid process of planet formation.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 14, 2022
A new model accounts for the interplay of forces acting on newborn planets, explaining two puzzling observations: the radius valley and peas in a pod. The research suggests that giant impacts, like the one that formed our moon, are probably a generic outcome of planet formation.
SourceRice University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 7, 2022
A new system classifies atmospheres of distant planets to identify those suitable for future human habitation, without physically visiting them. The research study found that planet TRAPPIST-1e has a significantly more sensitive atmosphere than Earth, which could lead to extreme climate changes.
SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 20, 2022
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Astronomers have discovered barium in the upper layers of ultra-hot Jupiters WASP-76 b and WASP-121 b, raising questions about these planets' atmospheres. The detection challenges scientists' understanding of heavy elements' behavior in exoplanet environments.
SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateOct 13, 2022
Simulations suggest a 'day at the beach' for life on Earth-like exoplanets around red dwarfs, increasing chances of finding multiple analogs in coming decades. This discovery sheds light on the diversity of water content in terrestrial exoplanets, which is crucial for a temperate climate.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2022
The Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2022 was awarded to Dr. Kosmas Gazeas and the team behind 'Planets In Your Hand', an interactive tactile exhibition that provides a multisensory experience of planetary surfaces. The exhibition has been traveling to schools, universities, and organizations, reaching thousands of visitors.
A study at Europlanet Science Congress 2022 found that super-thin planet nurseries can accelerate the formation of big planets. The team observed a remarkably thin disc of dust and gas around a young star, where large particles settled into a dense midplane, creating conditions favourable for planetary growth.
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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.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 14, 2022
A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2022
A new study reveals that density measurements separate rocky and water-rich exoplanets around red dwarf stars, suggesting a third population with 50% rock and 50% water composition. This discovery improves our understanding of small planet formation and evolution, paving the way for future searches for signs of life.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2022
A new study reveals that many exoplanets around M-dwarf stars may be composed of half water and half rock, rather than having surface oceans. The discovery suggests that these planets are likely to have water embedded in the rock or in pockets below the surface.
SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2022
The discovery of LP 890-9b and LP 890-9c, two 'super-Earth' type planets orbiting the small star LP 890-9, was made using ground-based telescopes. The planets have sizes similar to that of Earth and orbits that place them in the habitable zone around their star.
SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateSep 7, 2022
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Astronomers at the University of Birmingham have discovered two super-Earth planets, LP 890-9b and LP 890-9c, orbiting the cool star LP 890-9. The second planet, SPECULOOS-2c, is about 40% larger than Earth and has a longer orbital period, placing it in the habitable zone around its star.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have proposed a novel origin for Jupiter-like planets around massive stars. Massive stars can capture or steal planets from other stars in densely populated stellar nurseries, a process known as a 'planetary heist'.
SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2022
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.
SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2022
Astronomers using JWST have detected unambiguous evidence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of WASP-39b, a Saturn-mass exoplanet. The discovery provides valuable insights into giant planet composition and heavy element abundance, with implications for understanding how planets form.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2022
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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.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2022
A super-Earth planet, Ross 508 b, has been discovered near the habitable zone of a red dwarf star 37 light-years from Earth. The planet's orbit is elliptical, potentially placing it in the habitable zone for part of its orbit.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2022
A 15-year study details the origins and diversity of every known mineral on Earth, with over 10,500 mineral kinds identified. The research also reveals that 80% of minerals were formed with water, and 40% have multiple formation processes.
SourceCarnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·TypeObservational study·DateJul 1, 2022
A new study suggests that long-term liquid water can occur on planets with massive primordial atmospheres, which could lead to the emergence of life. The research found that sufficient geothermal heat and radiation from a star are not necessary for conditions to prevail at the surface.
SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 27, 2022