Articles tagged with Exoplanetary Science
A new study by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) proposes that compact exoplanetary systems may be surviving remnants of planet accretion during the final stages of stellar formation. This process results in similarly sized planets with characteristic masses determined by infall and disk conditions.
Researchers suggest wide-orbit planets are natural by-products of a chaotic early phase in planetary system development. Simulations show that internal instabilities and gravitational influence can trap planets in extreme orbits.
Researchers use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to investigate a protoplanetary disk around a young star in the Lobster Nebula. They found sufficient solid material to potentially form at least 10 rocky planets and detected various molecules that contribute to planetary atmospheres.
Scientists have discovered a planet with a comet-like tail, shedding surface minerals and evaporating away due to its close proximity to its star. The planet is estimated to disintegrate in about 1 million to 2 million years, leaving behind a long and dusty tail.
The discovery of a long-lived planet-forming disk around the star WISE J0446B reveals that disks can persist for three times longer than expected. The study provides new insights into planetary formation and the habitability of planets outside our solar system, particularly for low-mass stars.
A team of researchers used JWST to study the exotic atmosphere of LTT 9779 b, revealing reflective clouds on its cooler western hemisphere. The planet's asymmetrical dayside reflectivity is driven by powerful winds that transport heat and cloud formation.
Astronomers have mapped the 3D structure of an exoplanet's atmosphere for the first time, revealing a unique climate with powerful winds carrying chemical elements like iron and titanium. The discovery opens the door for detailed studies of alien worlds' weather patterns.
Astronomers have detected powerful jetstream winds on the equator of WASP-127b, a giant gas planet located 500 light-years from Earth. The winds reach nearly six times the speed at which the planet rotates, making them the fastest wind ever measured in a jetstream.
The completion of NASA's Pandora spacecraft bus brings the exoplanet mission one step closer to launch, set to study at least 20 planets' atmospheres for hazes, clouds, and water. The mission will utilize a novel telescope design to capture stellar surfaces and cleanly separate star and planetary signals.
A new type of exoplanet, similar to 'Super-Venus', has been detected by the James Webb Space Telescope. The planet's atmosphere is characterized by high concentrations of carbon dioxide, unlike typical Earth-like rocky planets or Neptune-like icy worlds.
Scientists have discovered birth sites of gigantic elliptical galaxies, suggesting large gas flows and galaxy collisions created these ancient systems. The research, published in Nature, may finally unravel the enigma of how these giant galaxies formed.
The telescope will focus cosmic light and send it to Roman's instruments, revealing billions of objects in space. The assembly underwent rigorous tests simulating launch conditions, temperature control, and gas handling.
A University of Washington-led study suggests that rocky planets orbiting M-dwarf stars can maintain stable atmospheres over time, enhancing the chances of supporting life. The James Webb Space Telescope has observed hotter planets without significant atmospheres, but temperate planets in the 'Goldilocks zone' may have stable atmospheres.
Scientists at Penn State and SETI Institute used the Allen Telescope Array to scan the TRAPPIST-1 star system for radio signals similar to those used by rovers on Mars. Although no extraterrestrial technology was found, the project introduced a new method for future searches.
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting Barnard's star, located six light-years away, which has at least half the mass of Venus and orbits its star in just over three Earth days. The discovery was made using ESO's VLT and confirms the existence of a new exoplanet candidate, while also hinting at the presence of three more.
The 2024 Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC2024) will be held in Berlin from September 8-13, covering a wide range of planetary research topics. Over 1,200 scientists from Europe and worldwide are expected to attend the fully hybrid meeting.
A new study by Rice University's David Alexander and Anthony Atkinson extends the definition of a habitable zone for planets to include their star's magnetic field. Only two exoplanets, K2-3 d and Kepler-186 f, meet all conditions for potential habitability, suggesting that stellar magnetism is a crucial factor in determining planetary...
Astronomers at MIT and Penn State have discovered a new 'progenitor' of hot Jupiters, a highly eccentric planet with an orbit providing clues to its evolution. The planet, TIC 241249530 b, is expected to become a scorching hot Jupiter in about 1 billion years.
A study by University of Texas at Dallas geoscientist Dr. Robert Stern and colleague Taras Gerya suggests that plate tectonics, oceans, and continents are necessary for the evolution of intelligent civilizations. The researchers propose refining the Drake equation factor to account for these requirements, which could explain the Fermi ...
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.
Researchers used the TESS-Keck Survey to detect and characterize 126 exoplanets, including 15 new ones. The study utilized both the transit method and radial velocity technique to determine the planets' masses. This collaboration provides new insights into the makeup of exoplanet systems and their host stars.
Astronomers have discovered a temperate, Earth-size world orbiting a small red dwarf star called Gliese 12. The planet, named Gliese 12 b, has a surface temperature of around 107 degrees Fahrenheit and receives about 1.6 times more energy from its star than Earth does.
The NASA TESS-Keck Survey catalog features 126 exotic planets with detailed measurements allowing for comparisons with our solar system. Several planets stand out as touchstones for deepening astronomers' understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
The newly discovered SPECULOOS-3b is an Earth-sized, likely airless planet orbiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star. The planet's extremely close proximity to its star has likely vaporized any atmosphere, allowing scientists to study its surface composition and history in unprecedented detail.
The newly discovered WASP-193b is the second least dense planet found to date, with a density comparable to that of cotton candy. Its low density cannot be explained by standard models of irradiated gas giants.
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.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully mapped the weather on WASP-43 b, a hot gas-giant exoplanet. The data reveals thick, high clouds covering the nightside and clear skies on the dayside, with equatorial winds reaching up to 5,000 miles per hour.
Megan Reiter, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, has received a $951,446 NSF grant to study the influence of neighboring stars on planet formation. Her research aims to clarify key forces shaping planet formation by exploring interplay between stars, planets, and environments.
A team of astronomers has shed new light on the process of planet formation through a groundbreaking survey of over 80 young stars. The research provides a wealth of data and unique insights into how planets arise in different regions of our galaxy, revealing diverse patterns of planet-forming discs.
Researchers have discovered water vapor in the disc around a young star exactly where planets are forming. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) enabled detailed images and spatially resolved observations, revealing three times as much water as Earth's oceans in the inner disc of the HL Tauri star.
Astronomers have discovered an extreme Earth-like planet with lava oceans that orbits its sun-like star every four days. The young planet, just 500 million years old, is the nearest Earth-sized planet found so far and could provide valuable insights into the evolution of planets similar to our own.
Researchers have discovered a multi-planet system that provides a rare glimpse into the formation of planets around a young star. The system consists of six confirmed planets and potentially a seventh, all forming under similar conditions at an age of just 700 million years.
Astronomers at the University of California, Irvine, have compiled precise measurements of six exoplanets in a recently discovered solar system. The team used a combination of radial velocity analysis and transit timing variations to determine the planets' masses and orbital properties.
Researchers detected complex structure with three concentric rings in the innermost region of the disk, rich in dust and minerals. The discovery suggests two planets may be forming within the gaps, with masses similar to Jupiter.
Scientists propose searching for depleted carbon dioxide in planetary atmospheres as a sign of liquid water and potentially life on other planets. A study suggests that low carbon abundance relative to neighboring planets could indicate habitability.
A NASA study suggests that 17 exoplanets could have subsurface oceans beneath their icy surfaces, potentially harboring life. The team estimated geyser activity on these planets, predicting that some may exhibit cryovolcanic eruptions, which could be detected using powerful telescopes.
Researchers have observed the atmospheres of seven hot Jupiters using NASA's CUTE spacecraft, revealing that some planets lose significant gas while others remain unchanged. The findings suggest a combination of planetary size and stellar activity plays a role in atmospheric escape. CUTE's precise measurements provide valuable insights...
Fatima Bagheri, a UTA postdoc, attended an intensive program on supercomputing at Argonne National Laboratory to expand her knowledge of exascale computers and learn methods to advance her research into exoplanets. The training provided hands-on sessions with supercomputers and expertise from world experts.
Researchers uncover six transiting planets around HD110067, a bright star with a chain of resonances spanning five pairs. The precise gravitational dance enabled the team to solve the previously unsolvable puzzle of the system's arrangement, revealing planetary orbits and orbital periods.
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe TRAPPIST-1 b, finding strong stellar contamination in its transmission spectra. The team discovered that stellar activity can create 'ghost signals' that may fool observers into thinking they have detected specific molecules in the exoplanet's atmosphere.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, LP 791-18d, with active volcanoes that could sustain an atmosphere, potentially allowing for liquid water and life. The planet's unique tidal locking creates a permanent day and night side, with the night side possibly experiencing condensation of water vapor.
The newly discovered planet, LP 791-18d, is almost the same size as Earth and has a chaotic environment with intense temperatures and possible volcanic activity. The planet's proximity to its neighbor LP 791-18c could create hazardous gravitational forces, but also potentially seed its atmosphere with gases and water.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-size exoplanet, LP 791-18 d, that may be covered in volcanoes. The planet's high volcanic activity could sustain an atmosphere and potentially support liquid water on its night side.
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.
A team of scientists at MIT and elsewhere have observed a star engulfing a nearby planet, a phenomenon that will also befall Earth in 5 billion years. The star's outburst was followed by a colder, longer-lasting signal, indicating the presence of gas from the star condensing into dust.
Researchers propose that early interactions between the magma ocean and a molecular hydrogen proto-atmosphere could have given rise to Earth's signature features, including its abundant water. The study suggests that even dry rocky material collisions would generate large quantities of water through these atmospheric-magma interactions.
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.
The University of Sydney and EnduroSat are collaborating on a mission to search for habitable planets around Alpha Centauri, just four light years from Earth. The team will use a custom-designed mini satellite to explore the star system's 'Goldilocks' zone for signs of life.
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.
University of Arizona engineers create autonomous vehicle system that allows robots to scout out underground habitats on other planets. The 'Breadcrumb-Style Dynamically Deployed Communication Network' paradigm enables robots to work together without human input, addressing NASA's space technology grand challenges.
The discovery of TOI-5205b, a Jupiter-sized gas giant, contradicts the current understanding of planet formation. The planet's existence raises questions about the role of rocky material in forming massive cores and its potential to form gas giants despite these guardrails.
Researchers have observed an exoplanet whose orbit is decaying around an aging star, providing the first look at a solar system this late in its life cycle. The doomed world, Kepler-1658b, has less than 3 million years left before colliding with its expanding star.
Researchers find that airborne chemical methyl bromide is a compelling indicator of biological activity on other planets. Its detectability increases around M dwarf stars, making it an attractive target for future missions to search for extraterrestrial life.
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.
The 2022 Europlanet Science Congress will bring together planetary scientists to discuss life beyond Earth. Over 60 scientific sessions cover topics such as current and upcoming missions, astrobiology, and space weather.
The Biofinder instrument has successfully detected bio-residue in ancient fish fossils from the Green River formation, confirming that biological residues can survive millions of years. The device's capabilities make it an ideal tool for future NASA missions to detect signs of past life on other planetary bodies.