![Latitude-longitude maps of column-integrated water clouds (panels a, b and c), outgoing longwave radiation (OLR, panels d, e and f) and albedo at the top of the atmosphere (TOA albedo, panels g, h and i) for Cases 2A, 2B and 2C. The variables are averaged over ∼50 orbits. The dashed white line on the albedo color bar corresponds to the surface albedo.-- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/A-broad.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] VLT/RISTRETTO, ELT/ANDES and ELT/PCS will soon enable atmospheric characterization of non-transiting, small rocky exoplanets orbiting closer than the inner edge of the Habitable Zone around M dwarfs, combining high-contrast […]
VLT
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
New Exomoon Detection Challenges Cosmic Labels
[ESO] Observations made with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) have revealed evidence for a moon-like object in the CD-35 2722 system. Unlike moons in our Solar […]
Posted inBeta Pictoris
Exoplanet Beta Pictoris d Found After More Than 10 Years Of Searching
[ESO] A team of astronomers have discovered a third planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. The new planet, Beta Pictoris d, is 100 times fainter than Beta Pictoris b — […]
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Older Than The Sun: Astronomers Find New Clues To The Origin Of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
[ESO] Astronomers have used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) to study the composition of 3I/ATLAS, the brightest interstellar object ever seen, in detail.
Posted inUncategorized
VLT Beyond 2030 and Call for White Papers
The VLT Beyond 2030 conference gathered participants from the community and ESO experts to present and discuss science and technological ideas for the future of both the Very Large Telescope […]
Posted inBeta Pictoris
Direct Imaging Discovery of Giant Exoplanet β Pictoris d: A Decade-Long Game of Hide-and-Seek
We report the direct imaging discovery of a third exoplanet in the β Pictoris system. We detect β Pictoris d in non-coronagraphic observations obtained with VLT/ERIS as well as multi-epoch […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Revisiting The Exo-Mercury Candidate GJ 367 b With ESPRESSO And A Self-Consistent Tidal Distortion Model
We report revised mass and radius measurements for GJ 367 b, an ultra-short-period (7.7 hr) sub-Earth in a multi-planet system orbiting a nearby (~9 pc) M dwarf host. Previous mass […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
The Carbon Isotope Ratio Of β Pic b With High-resolution Spectroscopy
Isotopic ratios trace the formation and evolution of planets and link their atmospheres to the chemistry of their natal protoplanetary discs.
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
First Ever Live Observation Of The Rotation Of A Planetary Nursery
The rotation of a protoplanetary disc (a disc where planets are being formed) has been observed directly for the very first time by mapping the emissions from the dust grains […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Habitable Zones, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release
Strange Winds Reveal Strongest Hints Yet Of Magnetic Activity In Exoplanets
By measuring the strength of the invisible magnetic fields of seven ultra-hot Jupiters, astronomers have taken a major step toward understanding planets beyond our Solar System. A new study published […]