We’ve long known that a planet’s orbital period and tilt determine length and intensity of seasons. We now see rotation rate matters too: max temperature shifts poleward as rotation slows.
exoplanets
Posted inNews
Massive Stars May Commit Grand Theft Planet
New simulations show that planets around young, massive stars may have been captured or stolen rather than homegrown.
Posted inNews
Pulsar Planets Are Exceedingly Rare
A new survey of hundreds of pulsars could help solve the mystery of why planets exist around these dead stars.
Posted inNews
The First Look at Our New Astronomy Paradigm
Five galaxies, two nebulae, an exoplanet, and the early universe—JWST’s first images provide a cross section of the science yet to come.
Posted inNews
Coronal Dimmings Shine Light on Stellar CMEs
Coronal mass ejections from stars have eluded easy observation, so scientists are looking at what’s left behind.
Posted inNews
Giant Planet’s Formation Caught in Action
Astronomers took a direct image of a massive protoplanet embedded in a protoplanetary disk. The system provides strong evidence for an as-yet-unconfirmed theory of planet formation.
Posted inNews
At-Home Astronomers Help Discover a New, Unique Exoplanet
Amateur astronomers sifting through NASA’s public data uncovered a long-orbit gas giant that could help scientists understand how these planets form.
Posted inFeatures
Tidally Locked and Loaded with Questions
Tidally locked planets always present the same face to their host stars. What does this mean for their potential to support life?
Posted inNews
To Make a Big Moon, Start with a Small Planet
Why is our Moon so massive compared with Earth, and how might that configuration happen elsewhere?
Posted inNews
Five Reasons Geoscience Should Care About Astronomy’s New Road Map
The latest road map to U.S. astronomy’s next decade recommends a smaller space telescope, ground-based facilities, and an institutional effort to create an inclusive and equitable field.