![Distributions of planetary mass, mass of the host star and semi-major axis of all confirmed exoplanets listed at exoplanet.eu. The planets are color-coded according to method used for their discovery. The dashed gray line marks the deuterium-burning mass limit of 13 MJup. [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Characterization-1.png?resize=1200%2C710&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] Astrometry is the oldest method used to search for extrasolar planets. This technique provides key information about a planetary system, like the true mass of planets and its three-dimensional […]
exoplanet
![All plot facets identical to Figure 5. Simultaneous characterization of H2O and O2. Detector noise and thermal emission are included. Shorter wavelengths are preferred for dual detection, but result in lower yields. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Possible-Observational.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Possible Observational Survey Strategies to Maximize Exoplanet Yields: A Report from the Survey Strategies Task Group in the Exoplanet Science Yields Working Group
[astro-ph.EP] We present a variety of possible observational sequences from planet detection to characterization (i.e., survey strategies) for the initial exoEarth detection and characterization survey phase of the Habitable Worlds […]
The Search for Earth 2.0
Another Earth could be out there. How do we find it? Join Dr. Jessie Christiansen, Chief Scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, for āThe Search for Earth 2.0: Why […]
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy
The Science Potential of Characterizing Gas Giant Exoplanets with HWO
[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 […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Optical Constants of Photochemical Haze Analogs in N2-CH4-CO Atmospheres from 0.4 to 28.6 Ī¼m
[astro-ph.EP] Photochemical hazes play an important role in shaping the spectra and radiative balance of N2-dominated planetary atmospheres.
![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 = 273ā 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 […]
Rogue Worlds 3
Free-floating, or “rogue”, planetary-mass objects have been discovered wandering through the Galaxy unbound to any star. The origins of these objects remain poorly understood, and likely involve a combination of […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Community Participation Program
[astro-ph.IM]. In preparation for the operational phase of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA has created the Coronagraph Community Participation Program (CPP) to prepare for and execute Coronagraph Instrument […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Graph Neural Networks For Exoplanet Atmospheres
[astro-ph.IM] Calculating disequilibrium chemistry in exoplanet atmospheres remains a significant computational bottleneck in atmospheric retrievals. The increasing observational precision from facilities such as JWST and the Ariel mission requires including […]