We introduce a new time-series analysis strategy for combined-light exoplanet spectroscopic phase curves called the Variable Planetary Infrared Excess (VPIE) method. VPIE can be used to extract information about the […]
JWST
![The best-fit PICASO retrieval temperature-pressure (TP) profile is plotted as a solid blue line with the temperature-pressure knots indicated in solid blue circles. The light blue shaded region indicates the 3σ confidence interval of the retrieved TP profiles. The tightly constrained TP profiles in the 1–10 bar range match with the peak of the 3–5 µmcontribution function plotted in the right panel. The retrieved TP profile based on MIRI-LRS 5–11.7 µmspectrum in Voyer et al. (2025) is plotted in solid purple along with the 3σ uncertainty plotted as light-purple shaded region. The condensation curves of H2O, Na2S, and KCl at solar metallicity are plotted with blue, orange, and green dashed lines respectively. For reference, the solid black line shows the TP profile of the best-fit Elf Owl grid model ([M/H] = -1, C/O = 1.5, log(g) = 3.23, log(Kzz) = 7, Teff= 350 K). Right panel: The contribution function map of the best-fit PICASO retrieval results shows that most of the 3–5 µmflux is emitted from 0.1–10 bar region. -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/JWST-Spectral-Retrieval.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
JWST Spectral Retrieval Of Cold Directly Imaged Planet WD0806 b And The First
WD0806 b is a rare exoplanet companion orbiting a white dwarf, currently with a projected orbital distance of 2500 au. The Spitzer mid-IR photometry suggests that the temperature is as […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
James Webb Space Telescope Reveals An Exceptional Richness Of Organic Molecules In One Of The Most Infrared Luminous Galaxies In The Local Universe
The study focuses on IRAS 07251–0248, an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy whose nucleus is hidden behind vast amounts of gas and dust. This material absorbs most of the radiation emitted by […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
A Chemistry-First Centered Icy Chemical Inventory of Protostellar Sources with JWST
The chemical evolution in star forming regions is driven by the interplay between gas and ice mantles. Identifying the ice compositions at the early stage of star formation thus provides […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Broadband Infrared Spectroscopy Of Methanol Isotopologues In pure, H2O-rich, And CO-rich Ice Analogues
Deuterium fractionation is highly efficient during the early stages of star formation, particularly in starless and prestellar cores where temperatures are low (<10 K) and molecular freeze-out onto dust grains […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Abundant Hydrocarbons In A Buried Galactic Nucleus With Signs Of Carbonaceous Grain And Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Processing
Hydrocarbons play a key role in shaping the chemistry of the interstellar medium (ISM), but their enrichment and relationship with carbonaceous grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) still lack clear […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Status Report
The Effect of Tidal Heating and Volatile Budgets on the Outgassed Atmosphere of 55 Cancri e
55 Cancri e is a ∼8 Gyr rocky world (1.95 R⊕, 8.8 M⊕) orbiting a K-type star. JWST observations suggest a carbon-dominated atmosphere (CO2/CO) over a global magma ocean (>3000 […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Role of Intrinsic Temperature and Vertical Mixing in Characterizing Sub-Neptune Atmospheres
Sub-Neptune planets are often modeled with a dense rocky or metal-rich interior beneath a thick hydrogen/helium (H/He) atmosphere; though their bulk densities could also be explained by a water-rich interior […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Climates Of Terrestrial Exoplanets And Biosignatures
Understanding the climates of terrestrial exoplanets and the detectability of biosignatures is an inherently interdisciplinary challenge, requiring the integration of insights from Solar System exploration, exoplanet observations and climate science. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
H182O In The Terrestrial Planet-forming Regions Of Protoplanetary Disks
Isotopologues play an important role in solar system cosmochemistry studies, revealing details of early planet formation physics and chemistry.