The atmospheres of rocky exoplanets are close to being characterized by astronomical observations, in part due to the commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope. These observations compel us to […]
extrasolar
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Assessing TESS's Yield of Rocky Planets Around Nearby M Dwarfs
Terrestrial planets are easier to detect around M dwarfs than other types of stars, making them promising for next-generation atmospheric characterization studies. The TESS mission has greatly increased the number […]
Posted inEnceladus, Icy Worlds, Press Release
An Investigation of Libration Heating and the Thermal State of Enceladus's Ice Shell
Tidal dissipation is thought to be responsible for the observed high heat loss on Enceladus. Forced librations can enhance tidal dissipation in the ice shell, but how such librations affect […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
The Atmospheres Of Rocky Exoplanets II. Influence Of Surface Composition On The Diversity Of Cloud Condensates
Clouds are an integral part of planetary atmospheres, with most planets hosting clouds. The understanding of not only the formation, but also the composition of clouds is crucial to the […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Geoastronomy: Rocky Planets As The Lavosier-Lomonosov Bridge From The Non-living To The Living World
Life on Earth emerged at the interface of the geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. This setting serves as our basis for how biological systems originate on rocky planets. Often overlooked, however, […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, tau Ceti
High Contrast Imaging at 10 microns, A Search for Exoplanets Around: Eps Indi A, Eps Eri, Tau Ceti, Sirius A and Sirius B
The direct imaging of rocky exoplanets is one of the major science goals for upcoming large telescopes. The contrast requirement for imaging such planets is challenging. However, the mid-IR (InfraRed) […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Detectability Of Biosignatures On LHS 1140 b
Terrestrial extrasolar planets around low-mass stars are prime targets when searching for atmospheric biosignatures with current and near-future telescopes. The habitable-zone Super-Earth LHS 1140 b could hold a hydrogen-dominated atmosphere […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
An Earth-like Stellar Wind Environment For Proxima Centauri c
A new planet has been recently discovered around Proxima Centauri. With an orbital separation of ∼1.44 au and a minimum mass of about 7 M⊕, Proxima c is a prime […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Extinction events, Impact events, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
Risks For Life On Proxima b From Sterilizing Asteroid Impacts
We consider the implications that a debris belt located between Proxima b and Proxima c would pose for the rate of large asteroid impacts that could sterilize Proxima b from […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
25-Year-Old Hubble Data Confirms Exoplanet Proxima Centauri c
Fritz Benedict has used data he took over two decades ago with Hubble Space Telescope to confirm the existence of another planet around the Sun’s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, and […]