Articles tagged with Exoplanets
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.
Researchers have discovered a new technique for detecting dim bodies, including planets, orbiting Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). The method analyzes changes in brightness caused by perturbations of a third body orbiting the inner two stars. Two out of four studied CV systems show signs of planetary mass objects in orbit around them.
A machine learning algorithm has outperformed astronomers in analyzing microlensing data to find new exoplanets, revealing connections hidden in complex mathematics from general relativity. The AI algorithm uncovered a degeneracy that had been missed by experts, suggesting a broader theory is likely incomplete.
A new study suggests that younger rocky exoplanets are more likely to support temperate climates due to the decay of radioactive isotopes. This critical heat source is necessary for a planet's mantle convection and surface volcanic degassing, which helps regulate climate.
Astronomers at Stanford University propose a new method to manipulate solar gravitational lensing to create advanced imaging capabilities for detecting and studying exoplanets. The technique, developed by Alexander Madurowicz, uses the sun's gravity as a natural telescope to capture fine details on planet surfaces.
An international team of researchers analyzed data from 25 hot Jupiters, finding a link between thermal inversions and the presence of hydrogen anion and metallic species. These findings will help establish a generalized theory of planet formation, improving our understanding of all planets, including Earth.
Researchers have uncovered significant trends in hot Jupiters' atmospheres, including dramatic temperature swings and the presence of metallic elements. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of our solar system and offer a better understanding of exoplanet populations.
The system uses multiple satellites to form an aperture-synthetic interferometer, meeting four key demands: high spatial resolution, contrast, sensitivity, and wide spectral range. Numerical simulations validate the method's efficiency, with reduced transfer times and stable orbit maintenance.
Researchers studied ultra-hot exoplanets using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, discovering unusual weather patterns, such as rain vaporized rock and intense ultraviolet radiation affecting planetary atmospheres. This research provides insights into the diversity and complexity of extreme weather conditions in distant worlds.
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.
Methane may be the first detectable indication of life beyond Earth, according to a new study that establishes conditions for biological activity. The researchers found that atmospheric methane is more likely to be considered a strong indication of life if it co-exists with carbon dioxide and lacks carbon monoxide.
Researchers at UNLV's Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab have discovered a new form of ice with unique properties. The team found that the transition to Ice-X occurs at much lower pressures than previously thought.
Three exoplanets mistakenly identified as planets are actually small stars, according to a new MIT study. The discovery was made using updated measurements of planet-hosting stars from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission.
A new color catalog of icy planet surface signatures has been created to aid in the search for life on frozen worlds. The catalog, based on microorganisms found in subarctic conditions, provides a tool for comparing Earth's biological microbes with those on other planets.
A team of scientists has created a detailed prediction of an Earth-sized planet in the α Centauri A/B system. The model suggests the planet, dubbed 'α-Cen-Earth', would have a mantle dominated by silicates and be geochemically similar to our Earth.
Researchers used lab-based mimicry to reveal a new crystal structure that has major implications for our understanding of the interiors of large, rocky exoplanets. This discovery could have revolutionary implications for how we think about the dynamics of exoplanet interiors.
A team of astronomers led by the University of Birmingham detected a rare circumbinary planet, Kepler-16b, using radial velocity method. The discovery provides clues on planetary accretion and demonstrates that ground-based telescopes can be used for modern exoplanet research.
The study provides the first detailed view of an exoplanet's global atmosphere, revealing a water cycle that dwarfs Earth's jetstream. The planet's night side is home to iron clouds, titanium rain, and winds that whip around at speeds of up to 5 kilometers per second.
Astronomers have detected a new planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Solar System, with a mass comparable to that of Earth. The newly discovered planet, named Proxima d, orbits its star at just five days, within the habitable zone.
Astronomers have detected two mini-Neptune planets losing their atmospheres due to stellar radiation. The finding provides evidence that these worlds may be transforming into super-Earths. The study uses data from W. M. Keck Observatory and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
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.
Researchers found that only certain types of planets can form large moons in respect to their host planets. They propose that smaller planets are better candidates to host fractionally large moons. This study provides constraints for future observations and sheds light on the formation of Earth's unique moon.
Researchers analyzed the exoplanet WASP-189b's atmosphere, discovering distinct layers with varying characteristics. The study reveals the importance of considering three-dimensional atmospheric structures in understanding exoplanets.
The study reveals the presence of titanium oxide in the atmosphere of WASP-189b, a hot gas giant planet 322 light years from Earth. The researchers used high-resolution spectroscopy to analyze the exoplanet's atmosphere, finding a layered type of chemistry that suggests three-dimensional effects and winds play a crucial role.
The SETI Institute has teamed up with Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University to assist in designing the science program for L-CAM 1, a lunar-based telescope. The team developed two science cases for observing targets based on understanding the benefits and limitations of a lunar observatory.
Researchers have discovered a giant gas planet, TOI-2180 b, with a diameter comparable to Jupiter's and a mass nearly three times that of Earth. The planet is also believed to contain 105 times the mass of elements heavier than helium and hydrogen.
The study of XO-3b reveals stronger seasonal variations than Earth's, with temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees C. The planet's oval orbit and high surface temperatures suggest a history of migration toward its parent star.
A sub-Neptune exoplanet named TOI-2257 b has been found to have an eccentric orbit around its host star, making it a candidate for further study. The planet's distance from the star allows for liquid water and potentially life-supporting conditions.
Researchers used a state-of-the-art climate model to find that the level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface could have been underestimated, with UV levels being up to ten times higher. This challenges the long-held assumption that oxygen levels reached about one percent relative to present atmospheric levels.
Researchers are using a multi-disciplinary approach to study the habitability of exoplanets, with Mars serving as a key example. The team is analyzing the atmospheres of different planets and how they might retain them under various conditions.
A team of researchers has discovered a new object orbiting a Sun-like star that was missed by previous searches. The object is estimated to be between 10 and 20 times the mass of Jupiter and is thought to be a large planet or a small brown dwarf.
A team of scientists simulated over 200,000 hypothetical Earth-like worlds to understand the types of environments astronomers can expect to find on real exoplanets. They found that in 90% of cases with liquid water on the surface, there are no ice sheets, but rather permanent ice belts along the equator.
Fatima Bagheri, a doctoral student in physics at the University of Texas at Arlington, has received a $200,000 National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. She plans to investigate exoplanets' magnetic fields and their potential ability to support life, building on her previous research on geomagnetic storms.
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-short-period planet GJ 367 b, which orbits its star in just eight hours and has a radius of 72% that of Earth. The planet's mass is 55% of the Earth's, indicating it likely has an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior.
A team of scientists measured the masses of two young giant planets in a 20 million-year-old system, finding they reached their final size at an early stage of evolution. This challenges current models, suggesting that giant planets can contract and mature rapidly.
Researchers used TRAPPIST-1's harmonious orbits to determine the impact history of its seven Earth-sized planets. The study found that these planets could have withstood only limited late bombardment, implying a relatively small amount of water arrived on time for potential life.
The discovery of hundreds of new exoplanets is a significant advance in understanding how planets form and orbits evolve. A notable finding includes a planetary system with two gas giant planets, each roughly the size of Saturn, located unusually close to their host star.
Astronomers have discovered an ultrahot Jupiter, TOI-2109b, with a record-breaking 16-hour orbit. The planet is estimated to be around 5 times the size of Jupiter and has a day side temperature of approximately 3,500 Kelvin.
The University of Sydney's project searches for Earth-like planets around Alpha Centauri to determine if life could survive there. The team is using advanced telescope technology to analyze the stars' atmospheres and detect signs of life.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new type of exoplanet known as 'eggshell planets,' which are likely to have little topography and no plate tectonics. These planets may resemble the lowlands on Venus, with vast expanses of lava but little high-standing terrain.
Researchers detected a planet in a 200-day orbit around two stars using TESS data from just one sector over 27 days. The discovery was made possible by observing the planet's transits and eclipses, providing new insights into circumbinary planets.
A new study suggests that most nearby rocky exoplanets are quite unlike anything in our Solar System, with diverse and exotic rock types not found anywhere. The research uses the chemical composition of 'polluted' white dwarfs to estimate the rock types on planets orbiting nearby stars.
Researchers developed a holographic lens that can focus light onto a single point or disperse it into its constituent colors, producing a spectrum of pure colors. The new method uses two sources of light to create a super spectral resolution optical element for detecting exoplanets with high resolution.
Researchers used Hubble Space Telescope observations and theoretical models to study a broader population of hot Jupiters. The study provides insight into planet formation and suggests that these planets contain similar sets of molecules, including water and carbon monoxide.
The special issue covers observations of exoplanet geology, composition, atmosphere, and potential habitability. SwRI researchers Dr. Natalie Hinkel and Dr. Cayman Unterborn collaborated with Dr. Oliver Shorttle to create a diverse overview of exoplanets, making it accessible to a wide community of scientists.
The discovery of ionized calcium on the exoplanet WASP-76b suggests that its atmospheric temperature is higher than previously thought or that it has very strong upper atmosphere winds. The research findings are from a multiyear project exploring the diversity of planetary atmospheres using high-resolution spectra obtained with Gemini ...
Researchers identified a potential circumtriple planet in the star system GW Ori, with implications for our understanding of planet formation. The discovery, made using ALMA telescope observations, suggests that planet formation may be more active than previously thought.
Researchers warn that future exoplanet direct-imaging missions need to make multiple observations to differentiate between planets. In 36% of solar systems, an Earth-like planet can be misidentified with a Mercury-like planet, and in 72% of cases, it could be mistaken for a Venus-like planet.
Clouds have been detected on the distant exoplanet WASP-127b, and their altitude has been measured for the first time. The observations reveal that water vapor is present at lower levels but screened by clouds opaque to visible light, while sodium is found in an unexpected place.
Physicist Diana Valencia and planetary scientist Lena Noack were awarded the 2021 Paolo Farinella Prize for their significant contributions to understanding terrestrial and super-Earth exoplanets. Their work has led to a deeper understanding of Earth-like exoplanet composition and evolution, critical for assessing habitability.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that Mars' small size limits its habitability due to a lack of retained volatiles. Researchers used potassium isotopes to determine the presence and abundance of volatile elements on Mars, finding a correlation between body size and volatile composition.
The Ariel Machine Learning Data Challenge has announced its winners, ML Analytics and TU Dortmund University, who developed highly accurate solutions for observing exoplanet atmospheres despite instrument noise. The winning teams will receive a cash prize of €500 and present their research at various conferences.
Astronomers have identified a new class of habitable exoplanets dubbed 'Hycean' which are hot and ocean-covered with hydrogen-rich atmospheres, potentially supporting microbial life. These planets offer a wider habitable zone than Earth-like planets, making them promising candidates for finding biosignatures of life.
A new study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society found that superflares on red dwarf stars occur at high latitudes, near the star's poles, which means they are not directed towards orbiting exoplanets. This reduces the danger to planetary atmospheres and habitability.
Researchers at the Center for Astrophysics have detected a clear presence of a moon-forming region around exoplanet PDS 70c, one of two giant planets orbiting a star nearly 400 light-years away. The disk surrounding PDS 70c has enough mass to form up to three satellites the size of the Moon.
The newly launched NEID spectrometer will measure the minute gravitational tug of planets on their host stars, enabling the detection of rocky planets and characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres. By utilizing this technology, scientists aim to push the boundaries for searching smaller exoplanets and probing beyond past challenges.
A laboratory study reveals that haze particles produced under different conditions have varying properties, determining the clarity of an exoplanet's atmosphere. Haze removal depends on surface energy, with particles having high surface energy being easily removed and resulting in clear skies.
The CHEOPS satellite unexpectedly detected a third planet passing in front of its star, revealing details about a strange planet without a known equivalent. The exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, has a radius 2.5 times that of Earth and orbits its star with an orbital period of over 107 days.
The discovery of exoplanet Nu2 Lupi d reveals a rare planet with no known equivalent, with a mass 8.8 times that of Earth and a radius 2.5 times larger than our own. The planet's mild stellar radiation and long orbital period make it an attractive target for future study.
Astronomers using the CHEOPS space telescope have detected a unique exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, which is 9 times the size of Earth and has masses between those of Earth and Neptune. The discovery reveals that the planet has a mild stellar radiation environment, making it an ideal target for studying its composition.