Upcoming missions seeking to unravel the secrets of exoplanets abound. An informal survey of astronomers revealed which of those projects they most eagerly await.

Kimberly M. S. Cartier
Kimberly M. S. Cartier, Senior Science Reporter for Eos.org, joined the Eos staff in 2017 after earning her Ph.D. studying extrasolar planets. Kimberly covers space science, climate change, and STEM diversity, justice, and education
Tests Indicate Which Edible Plants Could Thrive on Mars
An undergraduate experiment grew vegetables and herbs in simulated Martian soil under Mars-like reduced daylight. The tasty results suggest that Mars colonists could farm their own produce.
Boiled or Raw, Snail Shells Keep an Environmental Archive
Snail shells discovered at archaeological sites might still accurately record past weather and vegetation despite being the leftovers of a past meal.
Fossils Provide New Clues to Tibetan Plateau’s Evolution
The bones of ancient rhinos, elephants, and fish constrain when the Tibetan Plateau rose high enough to prevent migration, a move that forced animals to adapt to high-altitude conditions.
New Model Predicts Lightning Strikes; Alert System to Follow
Data from thousands of past storms help guide a new forecast model that predicts where and when lightning may hit.
Jovey McJupiterface and Other Flights of Whimsy via JunoCam
Jupiter has van Gogh skies, kaleidoscope geometry, and fearsome dragons, if you can just look at the planet with an open mind.
Iranian Geoscientists’ Careers Hurt by U.S. Travel Policies
Three scientists spell out how travel bans, enhanced vetting, and burdensome bureaucracy, which collectively shape U.S. immigration law, have had lasting effects on their careers.
Divergent Republican Tax Plans Blur Future for Grad Students
The U.S. House of Representatives aims to tax tuition waivers as income, whereas the Senate does not. This new tax would undermine graduate students across all fields, experts say.
U.S. Weather Alert Systems Must Modernize, Say New Reports
To reduce risks, including loss of life, national weather alert systems must incorporate social and behavioral sciences and new technology, according to two federally sponsored reports.
Pollution over Southeast Asia May Threaten Ozone Health
Emissions of short-lived chlorine-based chemicals that deplete ozone are increasing worldwide. But over some regions of Asia, these chemicals may be on a fast track to the ozone layer.