Latest astronomy news

While white dwarf stars generally appear white to the human eye, their unique atmospheric conditions can create unexpected colors. By studying how chemical composition affects their light, researchers have shown that these stellar remnants can display hues including green, yellow, pink, and purple. This analysis confirms that while average white dwarfs remain true to their name, their chemistry allows for visual diversity....

Close-in giant planets often deform due to the intense gravity of their host stars. By measuring these physical distortions, researchers can gain insights into the interior density of these worlds. A new method identifies WASP-33 b, WASP-76 b, and HAT-P-32 b as the best candidates for future observations with the JWST and Ariel telescopes to map their internal structures using their orbital phase curves....

A new analytical approach reveals distinct atmospheric differences between the leading and trailing edges of the exoplanet WASP-94 A b. By measuring small shifts in transit timing, researchers have successfully characterized the planet's temperature gradient and chemical composition, including the presence of water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide on its evening side....

An analysis of 268 stars reveals new hot Jupiter planets orbiting within the Milky Way's ancient thick disk. These systems, over 8 billion years old, show key differences in planet mass and orbital distance compared to planets in the younger thin disk. These findings suggest that the galactic environment influences how massive gas giant planets form and evolve over vast timescales....

Observations of the protoplanetary disk surrounding the star DM Tauri reveal how specific molecules are distributed near the disk midplane. By studying N2H+ and DCO+ ions, researchers identified distinct patterns of emission that highlight the influence of external ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays on the chemical environment where planets begin to form....

Observations of the 5-million-year-old star HD 152384 have revealed a thin, gaseous ring composed of refractory elements. Located near the star's dust sublimation radius, this ring likely formed from the collisions of rocky planetesimals. This system provides a unique glimpse into the early, violent processes of planet formation and the evolution of debris disks around young stars....

Observations of the hot Jupiter KELT-2A b using the Gemini-North telescope confirm the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere. By analyzing its chemical makeup, researchers found that the carbon-to-oxygen ratio matches its host star, while overall metallic elements appear depleted. This unique chemical profile suggests the planet likely formed far from its star before migrating inward through a high-eccentricity path....

Researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to monitor the transit timings of 37 exoplanets. Among the findings, the Neptune-like planet HAT-P-18 b displays a periodic signal in the timing of its transits, suggesting complex planetary dynamics. These observations highlight the telescope's ability to track subtle orbital changes across various types of planets....

The exoplanet TOI-2257 b orbits its host star every 35 days with a highly eccentric path. New simulations show the planet sits near a critical boundary where tidal forces and atmospheric escape processes transition. Depending on whether the planet is a gaseous mini-Neptune or a rocky super-Earth, it may retain a significant hydrogen envelope or maintain conditions potentially suitable for liquid water....