![The figure illustrates the four main phases of low-mass star formation: from the gravitational collapse of the natal core of gas and dust (Prestellar Core), to the main accretion phase (Class 0/I protostar, age ∼104 -105 yr), followed by the protostar and its surrounding protoplanetary disk (Class I/II, age ∼105 -106 yr), and finally the revealed planetary system after the disk has dispersed (Class III, age ∼107 yr). Typical spatial and timescales are indicated for each stage. Generated with Google Gemini 3 Flash and modified. -- [astro-ph.SR]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Cradle-of-Life.png?resize=1200%2C714&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.SR] This chapter provides an overview of the different science cases covered by the “Cradle of Life” working group, which aims to leverage the capabilities of the Square Kilometre Array […]
aurora
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Status Report
Detection Of Propadiene (CH2CCH2), Propene (C3H6) And Non-detection Of Propane (C3H8) In Jupiter’s Northern Polar Stratosphere
We report the first detection of stratospheric propadiene (CH2CCH2) and propene (C3H6) at Jupiter’s mid-to-high northern latitudes using IRTF-TEXES measurements recorded on March 5-6, 2025.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Europa’s Lyman-α Emissions From HST/STIS Observations
Context. An image of Lyman-α (Lyα) emission from Europa obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope’s Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) provided the first evidence for localized water vapor (H2O) aurora, […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Constraining Electron-Impact Ionization of O2 Through UV Aurora Observations at Ganymede
While photoionization rates of Ganymede‘s O2 dominated atmosphere are well constrained, the contribution of electron-impact ionization is rather uncertain.
Posted inGanymede, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Similarities Between Auroras On Ganymede And Earth
A team of astrophysicists from the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Planetary Physics (LPAP) has observed for the first time the fine details of the auroras on Ganymede, the only moon […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Ice Giant, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Neptune, People Of Astrobiology, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Webb Space Telescope Captures Neptune’s Auroras For First Time
For the first time, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured bright auroral activity on Neptune. Auroras occur when energetic particles, often originating from the Sun, become trapped in a […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Ancient Wood Hold Clues About Massive Solar Storms
The Northern Lights were visible much farther south than usual this year, and pictures of the colorful hues filled social media. Now, imagine an aurora hundreds of times brighter – […]
Posted inSpace Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
uGMRT Survey of EXoplanets Around M-dwarfs (GS-EXAM): Radio observations of GJ 1151
Coherent radio emission with properties similar to planetary auroral signals has been reported from GJ 1151, a quiescent, slow-rotating mid-M star, by the LOFAR Two-metre (120-170 MHz) Sky Survey (LoTSS).
Posted inGanymede, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Missions & Hardware, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Properties of Electrons Accelerated by the Ganymede-magnetosphere Interaction: Survey of Juno High-latitude Observations
The encounter between the Jovian co-rotating plasma and Ganymede gives rise to electromagnetic waves that propagate along the magnetic field lines and accelerate particles by resonant or non-resonant wave-particle interaction. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Methane Emission From a Cool Brown Dwarf
Beyond our solar system, aurorae have been inferred from radio observations of isolated brown dwarfs (e.g. Hallinan et al. 2006; Kao et al. 2023). Within our solar system, giant planets […]