![The PM showing the mounted SHAPE instrument (left) along with the zoomed in view (right). Three major sub-systems are also marked. -- [astro-ph.IM]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Shaping-SHAPE.png?resize=1200%2C714&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.IM] Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) is an experimental instrument onboard the Propulsion Module (Orbiter) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, designed to perform disc-integrated spectro-polarimetric observations of Earth from lunar […]
Imaging & Spectroscopy
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.
![Example of the stacking procedure for the Maidanak data obtained on 2025 August 15, based on ten 60 s exposures in each of the B, V , and R filters. Left: Comet-centered stack, showing the coma morphology without trailing of the comet signal. The pink circle indicates an aperture radius of 10 000 km. Right: Sidereal stack used for photometric calibration, in which the comet appears trailed.-- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-Inbound.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inComets and Asteroids
The Inbound Gas and Dust Evolution of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS from Optical Spectroscopy and Multi-band Photometry
[astro-ph.EP] Interstellar objects (ISOs) provide direct constraints on the composition and evolution of extrasolar planetary systems. As the third confirmed ISO, comet 3I/ATLAS offers a rare opportunity to study pristine […]
![Schematic of generative process to determine most chemically relevant molecular candidates for the unassigned spectroscopic transitions.-- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Automated.png?resize=1200%2C711&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Automated Assignment and Prediction of Molecules in Astronomical Line Surveys Using Machine-Learning-Based Chemical Embeddings
[astro-ph.GA] Modern radio telescopes generate vast amounts of observational data, offering valuable insights into the molecular composition of interstellar sources. Identifying the molecules within these datasets typically involves time-consuming and […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
A Search for Helium in the Atmospheres of Three Sub-Neptunes and a Super-Earth Around M-dwarfs
[astro-ph.EP] Thousands of sub-Neptunes have been discovered mainly through space-based surveys such as Kepler and TESS. Their bulk compositions and internal structures are thought to reflect their formation and evolutionary […]
Posted inTRAPPIST-1
Atmospheric Reconnaissance of TRAPPIST-1 f with JWST NIRISS SOSS: No Evidence for the Transit Light Source Effect
[astro-ph.EP] In just over three years of operation, JWST has observed all seven planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system. The two innermost planets were found to have little to no atmosphere, […]
Posted inMars
A Mars Impact Crater Surrounded By Chunks Of Water Ice
[NASA] Boulder-size blocks of water ice can be seen around the rim of this giant meteoroid impact crater on Mars, as viewed by the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE camera) […]
Posted inSETI & Technosignatures
Gaia DR3 Limits on Stellar Engine Technosignatures in Nearby Stars
[astro-ph.GA] An operating stellar engine that transfers momentum to its host star could produce an approximately persistent transverse acceleration during the Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) observing epoch.
Posted inAstrochemistry
Catalytic Formation of H2 On Carbonaceous Dust Grains – Implications For Interstellar Observations
[astro-ph.GA] We use kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to study molecular hydrogen formation on carbonaceous dust grain surfaces, validated against recent laboratory measurements of H2 formation on coronene films at […]
Posted inStellar Cartography
A High-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey of Directly Imaged Companion Hosts: III. Characterization of the Cold Imaged Planet Hosts AF Lep A and ε Indi A
[astro-ph.EP] JWST has enabled the measurement of carbon, oxygen, and sulfur abundances in the atmospheres of directly imaged planets. Interpretation of these abundances from a planet formation standpoint requires the […]