[astro-ph.EP] Motivated by recent observations suggesting rings found in debris disks are wider than those in protoplanetary disks, we consider a picture in which planetesimals formed in radially narrow dust […]
Alpha Centauri
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Finding Habitable Exoplanets with Binary Relative Astrometry: Planet Detection and Characterization with the Microarcsecond Astrometric Retrieval Algorithm (MARA)
[astro-ph.EP] Binary relative astrometry is a technique to search for rocky planets in the habitable zone of nearby binary stars using 1D relative astrometry at the microarcsecond level.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Searching For Habitable Exoplanets With Relative Astrometry (SHERA). I. The Case For Searching For Planets In Binary Star Systems
[astro-ph.EP] Discovering Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars was identified as a priority science goal of the Astronomy 2020 Decadal Survey.
![Schematic diagram (not to scale) of the experimental apparatus used for benzene ice nucleation and growth studies (adapted from Dubois et al. (2021)). Pressure was measured with a capacitance manometer (P1) and an ion gauge (P2). The inset shows a top view of the cooled sample holder with the positions of the three K-type thermocouple gauges (red dots) used for temperature measurements. The ice sample formed on either or both sides of the silicon substrate/tholin sample (grey), which was in the path of the IR beam of the Thermo Fisher iS50. Infrared transmission spectra were collected with a liquid N2-cooled MCT/A detector. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Experimental-Measurements.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
Posted inTitan
Experimental Measurements of Benzene Ice Critical Saturation Ratios on Titan Tholins and Impact on the Microphysical Modeling of Titan’s South Polar Benzene Cloud
[astro-ph.EP] The Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) revealed the presence of a benzene (C6H6) ice cloud in Titan’s autumn south polar stratosphere, following the northern spring equinox in August 2009.
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Near UV Stellar Activity and Brightness Fluctuations of the Alpha Centauri AB Star System from Weeks to Decades — Inputs for Reflected Light Spectroscopy with HWO
We present the most comprehensive near-ultraviolet (NUV: 2550-3255 Angstrom) activity record to date for the Alpha Centauri AB system, combining archival IUE and HST observations spanning nearly five decades with […]
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Proxima Centauri, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Star-planet Interaction In The Proxima System
(Abridged) We search for evidence of star-planet magnetic interactions in the nearby Proxima Centauri planetary system using high-quality, high-spectral-resolution optical observations.
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cubesats and smallsats, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia Mission, Habitable Zones, Interstellar, Missions & Hardware, Proxima Centauri, Status Report
Science From The In Situ Exploration Of Tthe Proxima Centauri System
In the future interstellar exploration at near-relativistic speeds will be possible using beamed energy laser propulsion.
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Desert Worlds, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release
Icy Flow In A Crater On Mars
The material on the floor of this crater appears to have flowed like ice, and contains pits that might result from sublimation of subsurface ice. The surface is entirely dust-covered […]
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cubesats and smallsats, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
The TOLIMAN Mission: A Low-cost Space Telescope For High Precision Narrow-angle Astrometry
The TOLIMAN project is engaged with the construction, launch and operation of a low-cost space telescope of unorthodox optical design. Its primary science goal targets an exhaustive search for temperate-orbit […]
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
A Mapping Method Of Age Estimation For Binary Stars: Application To The Alpha Centauri System A And B
Given the wealth of data provided by Gaia and the upcoming PLATO mission, it is essential to improve stellar models to obtain accurate stellar ages. Our objective is to apply […]