[astro-ph.EP] With the ability to directly image Earth-like exoplanets and search their atmospheres for biosignatures, the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will also collect high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) reflected-light photometry […]
Imaging & Spectroscopy
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Optical Constants of Photochemical Haze Analogs in N2-CH4-CO Atmospheres from 0.4 to 28.6 μm
[astro-ph.EP] Photochemical hazes play an important role in shaping the spectra and radiative balance of N2-dominated planetary atmospheres.
Posted inAstrochemistry
Rotational Spectroscopy And Astronomical Search Of Propane-1-thiol (CH3CH2CH2SH) And Propane-2-thiol ((CH3)2CHSH)
[astro-ph.GA] This study focuses on propanethiol (or propyl mercaptan, C3H7SH), a sulfur analogue of propanol and a key target for investigating interstellar sulfur chemistry. We report the laboratory rotational spectroscopic […]
![Top-down, to-scale view of the TOI-789 architecture. The four planetary orbits are drawn around the M3 host (center); symbol size scales with planetary radius and symbol color with equilibrium temperature (color bar). The candidate .04 is drawn with a dashed outline. Shaded annular bands mark, from the inside out, the Venus zone (Kane et al. 2014), the temperate region defined by Teq = 273– 400 K, and the inner edge of the Kopparapu et al. (2014) habitable zone. The four planets form a sequence of decreasing insolation that crosses the Venus zone, with the candidate .04 near the inner edge of the habitable zone.-- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Characterization.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Characterization of the Compact Multi-planet System TOI-789: Validation of Three Terrestrial Planets, Dynamical Characterization, and Detection of a Fourth Temperate Candidate
[astro-ph.EP] We present the validation and dynamical characterization of TOI-789 (TIC 300710077), a compact multi-planet system around an M3 dwarf at 43 pc.
![Wavelength distributions of candidate spectral lines retained at each step of the line-selection procedure. The histograms show the initial linelist (light), lines retained after automated vetting (intermediate), and the final manually vetted sample (dark). The shaded background regions indicate approximate wavelength ranges for the Y, J, H, and K-bands.-- [astro-ph.SR]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Elemental.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inStellar Cartography
Elemental Abundances of Cool Stars: A Spectroscopic Framework Applied to Five Planet-Host Stars
[astro-ph.SR] Stellar elemental abundances provide important constraints on the chemical environments from which planets form. M and late-K dwarfs are prime targets for the characterization of small exoplanets, yet their […]
Posted inMars
Thyles Rupes Region Of Mars
[ESA] We’re used to seeing pictures of Mars that are very different in colour to this berry-toned view, featuring tans, ochres, reds and browns – all caused by high levels […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
JWST Reveals Refractory-Rich Water Ice in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Evidence for a Continuum of Grain Properties across Protoplanetary Disks
[astro-ph.EP] We present JWST/NIRSpec PRISM observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS obtained on 2025 August 6 (Epoch 1), 2025 December 22 (Epoch 2), and 2026 April 1 (Epoch 3), spanning […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes
Artifact InSPECtor: Refining Data From Space Telescopes
[NASA] How do scientists studying space with data from a telescope hundreds of thousands of miles away know that what they are seeing is real? A new NASA project, Artifact […]
![Schematic illustration of the ablation scheme used at the MATRI2CES setup. The laser fires at 5 Hz while the substrate is moved downward by a motorized Y-translator, ensuring a fresh spot is probed with each shot. -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/In-situ.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
In situ Characterization Of Volatile And Refractory Hydrocarbons Produced By UV Photolysis Of Interstellar C2H2 Ice
[astro-ph.GA] Acetylene (C2H2) is commonly observed in star-forming regions, young stellar objects, and the Solar System.
Posted inMars
Complex Water Systems Revealed On Early Mars
[NASA] A new study reveals that Jezero Crater’s enigmatic ‘Margin Unit’ was shaped by a complex sequence of ancient lakes, groundwater systems, and hydrothermal fluids.