Citation – “The Roasting Marshmallows Program with IGRINS on Gemini South. II. WASP-121 b has Superstellar C/O and Refractory-to-volatile Ratios“ Peter C. B. Smith et al 2024 AJ 168 293 The study focuses on WASP-121b, a famous ultra hot Jupiter, using the IGRINS instrument on the Gemini South telescope. The goal is to understand the planet’s atmospheric composition and what… Read More »
“An evaporite sequence from ancient brine recorded in Bennu samples”. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08495-6 In a groundbreaking study published in Nature on January 29, 2025, scientists have unveiled remarkable findings from samples collected from the asteroid Bennu. These samples provide unprecedented insights into the early solar system’s chemistry and the potential origins of life on Earth.… Read More »
Citation: Smith, J. et al. (2025). “Characterising Exoplanetary Atmospheres: Insights from Recent Observations.” Astronomy & Astrophysics, 625, A1. In the ever-evolving field of astronomy, the study of exoplanets, planets orbiting stars beyond our Solar System, has captivated scientists, enthusiasts and the general public alike. A recent publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics sheds light on the complex atmospheres… Read More »
Astronomers have identified a new type of celestial event that challenges traditional understanding of white dwarf stars and their explosive behaviour. Dubbed “millinovae,” these phenomena are faint but fascinating, marking an exciting addition to the family of stellar explosions. What Are Millinovae? Millinovae are transient events occurring in binary star systems where a white dwarf—a… Read More »
In a new Paper, published in Nature, published on 22 Jan 2025, on J. Teiser, J., Penner, J., Joeris, K. et al. The growth of super-large pre-planetary pebbles to an impact erosion limit. Nat Astron (2025) investigate how tiny particles in space, called “pebbles,” grow into larger clusters, which are critical in the formation of planets. Understanding this process… Read More »
The Moon holds key clues about how Earth and the other inner planets of the Solar System formed. Scientists debate two main theories of planet formation: slow, chaotic growth from planetesimal collisions, or rapid growth by accumulating tiny particles called pebbles. This study explores whether the Moon’s formation can help decide between these two ideas.… Read More »
Image: Courtesy of Universe Today, shows two white dwarf stars merging In a recent paper by Michael Tucker he has investigated Type Ia supernova, publishing his findings in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Association, his paper can be found HERE, but here is a simplified overview – I hope it does it justice. When… Read More »
Humans like to consider themselves the most intelligent animal on Earth, and many argue that is the case because we have built cities, processed metals, built machines, conquered every environment on Earth and now we are starting to explore the deep oceans and space – but does this make us “intelligent” or just clever and… Read More »
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