While the influence of supermassive black hole (SMBH) activity on habitability has garnered attention, the specific effects of active galactic nuclei (AGN) winds, particularly ultrafast outflows (UFOs), on planetary atmospheres […]
Science Fiction
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Science Fiction, Stellar Cartography
Why Are Tatooine Planets Rare? Blame General Relativity
Of the more than 4,500 stars known to have planets, one puzzling statistic stands out. Even though nearly all stars are expected to have planets and most stars form in […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Science Fiction, Status Report
Finding Endor With Lunar Eclipses — Exomoons And Exorings With The Habitable Worlds Observatory II
Giant planets in the habitable zone may host exomoons with conditions conducive to life. In this paper we describe a method by which the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) could detect […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Commercial & Private Sector, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Science Fiction, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Searching For Extraterrestrial Life Advances Terrestrial Sustainability
Astrobiology, while traditionally focused on understanding the origin of life on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere, offers powerful tools and insights for addressing urgent challenges on our planet.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astronomy & Telescopes, Conferences and Meetings, Courses, Education and Outreach, Science Fiction, Status Report
Using Science Fiction to Teach Astronomy and Astrobiology
Students in our introductory courses are often familiar with astronomy concepts from science fiction. Using examples from written or filmed science fiction stories can be a good way to capture […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Science Fiction
Rare Image Of Tatooine-like Planet Is Closest To Its Twin Stars Yet
In a discovery that’s fit for a movie, Northwestern University astronomers have directly imaged a Tatooine-like exoplanet, orbiting two suns.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Career Opportunities, Education and Outreach, NASA Astrobiology Program, Science Fiction, Societal Issues, Status Report
Birdy X AbGradCon 2025
Editor’s note: from the issue 138.5 special edition of Birdy Magazine: “We are proud and honored to collaborate with Birdy Magazine on this science-meets-art issue, created as part of the […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Conferences and Meetings, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Science Fiction, Status Report
Exploring Tatooine and Beyond: Circumbinary Planets With ESA Missions
ESAC, Madrid, Spain10-12 December 2025
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release, Science Fiction
Mysterious Gullies On Mars Appear To Have Been Dug, But By Whom Or What?
Did life really exist on Mars after all? Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence for this yet. Nevertheless, it would seem that some form of life was the driving force […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astronomy & Telescopes, Intelligence & Language, Interstellar, Science Fiction, SETI & Technosignatures, Societal Issues, Status Report
SETI Post-Detection Protocols: Progress Towards A New Version
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) SETI Committee has long provided guiding principles for responding to a potential detection of a SETI signal.