![Final best fit for VHS 1256 b. Top panel: same as Fig. 8, but using the two-column approach. Best fit parameters are Teff = 1153 K, log g = 4.0 dex, [M/H] = 0.08 dex, C/O = 0.60, R = 1.2 RJup, with an α = 0.62 so a linear combination of fsed = 0.7 (62%) in grey dashed and fsed = 2.4 (38%) in grey solid line. Both grey fsed components have been scaled by their proportion and multiplied by a factor of 0.6 for visibility. The two fsed component spectra are shown with reduced resolution for visibility. Bottom panel: same as Fig. 8. -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Next-generation.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Condensate clouds are a defining feature of brown dwarf and exoplanet atmospheres, producing a broad range of colours on the CMD and giving rise to spectral features such as the […]
Clouds
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astronomers Observe Exoplanet Atmospheres With New Cloud-detecting Method
Every morning, clouds roll in, and by evening, they have cleared off. This sounds like a weather forecast for a coastal city here on Earth — but it’s for WASP-94A […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Status Report, Venus
A Panspermia Origin For Venus Cloud Life
Decades of study have hinted at the astrobiological potential of Venus’s cloud layers. This potential is often cast as stemming from the idea that the Venusian surface was clement in […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Venus
Venus’ Atmosphere Jumps And Waves
The mysterious origin of an impressive cloud disturbance on Venus has now been revealed by a team including the University of Tokyo. Researchers used numerical models to show that an […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
The Tale Of The 3 Planets: 3D Cloud Feedback Enhances The Spectral Diversity Of Warm Jupiters
JWST has shown a large diversity in warm Jupiter spectra, despite only small variations in the planetary parameters. However, the main driver of this diversity remains unclear. We aim to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report, Venus
Cosmic Dust Identified As The Source Of Venus’ Enigmatic Lower Haze
Venus, often called Earth’s twin, is in fact a planet of extremes. Beneath its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere lie crushing surface temperatures and dense clouds of sulfuric acid. While the […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Identifying Surface Degeneracies in Single-Visit Reflected Light Observations of Modern Earth using the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Characterizing the surface and atmosphere of Earth-like planets in reflected light is a key goal for upcoming direct imaging surveys.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Retrieving the Red Edge on Earth-like Planets with Heterogeneous Clouds and Surfaces
The detection and characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets is one of the chief goals of astrophysics for the coming decades. Imaging in reflected light is well suited for characterizing Earth-like […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
A Cloudy Fit To The Atmosphere of WASP-107 b
Context. WASP-107 b has been observed comprehensively by JWST in the near- and mid-IR bands, making it an ideal planet to probe the composition and internal dynamics. Recent analysis reveals […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
A Second Visit To Eps Ind Ab With JWST: New Photometry Confirms Ammonia And Suggests Thick Clouds In The Exoplanet Atmosphere Of The Closest Super-Jupiter
With JWST, we are directly imaging cold (~200-300K), solar-age giant exoplanets for the first time.