[astro-ph.SR] M dwarfs are among the most promising host stars in the search for habitable exoplanets. However, their active atmospheres drive intense magnetic activity, including energetic flares and possibly coronal […]
space weather
![TiO absorption variation during 8 years on surface of proxima centauri. Vertical lines depicts regions were used to measure B index. -- [astro-ph.SR]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Titanium-Oxide.png?resize=1200%2C715&ssl=1)
Posted inProxima Centauri
Titanium Oxide Absorption as a Proxy to Detect Long term Variation and Activity Cycle in Proxima Centauri
[astro-ph.SR] Stellar activity cycles on magnetically active stars can be estimated by molecular absorption bands.
![Average ion velocity and magnetic field distributions near the ICB. (A) The center-of-mass velocity of heavy ions in the XZMSE plane, averaged over −1 RM < YMSE < 1 RM. (B) Proton velocity. (C) Velocity shear between protons and heavy ions. (D) Magnetic field strength. (E) Angle between the magnetic field and the X�⃗ MSEin the YZMSE plane, averaged over −1.5 RM < XMSE < 0.5 RM. Black arrows in (A) to (C) indicate velocity directions. Black curves in (A) to (D) mark the nominal locations of the bow shock and ICB. The black shaded sphere in (E) denotes the planetary shadow. -- [physics.space-ph]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Simultaneous.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inSpace Weather & Heliophysics
Simultaneous Mars-orbit Observations Reveal Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability-driven Bulk Atmospheric Ion Escape
[physics.space-ph] Atmospheric ion escape driven by the solar wind is a key process controlling the long-term loss of the Martian atmosphere. Localized plasma clouds can carry substantial fluxes of planetary […]
![Stellar influence on planetary habitability. Figure credit: solar images from NASA/ESA and KPNO/NSO/AURA/NSF, background pictures generated through OpenAI’s image-generation system (i.e., Adobe Firefly and ChatGPT Images 2.0). Illustration: K. Herbst - [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/StellarActivity.jpg?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inHabitable Zones
Stellar Activity, Exoplanet, Habitability, Planetary Atmospheres
[astro-ph.EP] This chapter will review the deep connection of planetary habitability and stellar irradiation. We present the long-term stellar evolution as one of the drivers of atmospheric escape and climate […]
Posted inMars
First Study Hints Solar Storms May Alter The Weather During Martian Dust Storms
[Royal Astronomical Society] Solar storms may affect weather on Mars when they strike at the same time as major Martian dust storms, a new study has suggested for the first […]
![[NSF/AURA] This newly released image from the National Science Foundation (NSF) was taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is the largest solar telescope in the world.](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Our-Local-Star.png?resize=1200%2C721&ssl=1)
Posted inSpace Weather & Heliophysics
Our Local Star
[NSF/AURA] This newly released image from the National Science Foundation (NSF) was taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is the largest solar telescope in the world. This view […]
Posted inInterstellar
New Horizons Extends Key Observations Of Interstellar Material Slowing The Solar Wind
[SwRI] A new Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) study based on data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has uncovered fascinating insights into why the solar wind gradually slows as it moves […]
Posted inHabitable Zones
Nautilus: Fast Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of GKM Stellar Flares and Their Implications for Planetary Habitability
[astro-ph.SR] Low-mass GKM dwarfs are prime targets for finding habitable-zone Earth-sized planets, but their frequent flares, especially on M~dwarfs, can strongly affect planetary atmospheres through enhanced UV/XUV radiation and stellar […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Summary Of The First Year Of The Space Weather Around Young Suns Program: 900 Hours Of Low-frequency Radio And Optical Data Dedicated To Young, Solar-type Stars
The Space Weather Around Young Suns (SWAYS) program was introduced in Davis2025 as a multi-wavelength monitoring program for studying the activity and particle environments of nearby, young, solar-type stars.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
A Surprising Phenomenon Found In NASA Data From Mars
Data beamed back from Mars by the NASA spacecraft MAVEN provides the first evidence that a phenomenon protecting planets from solar winds can occur in the atmospheres of worlds that […]