tau Ceti – My WordPress Site

Hydrodynamic models of the τ Ceti astrosphere, assuming stellar mass loss rates of M˙= 0.03 M˙⊙ (left) and M˙= 0.1 M˙⊙ (right). The top panels show neutral H density and the bottom panels show proton temperature. The termination shock and astropause boundaries are labeled in the plasma temperature panel. The LOS to the star is indicated, at 59◦ from the upwind direction of the ISM flow. Dashed circles schematically indicate the spatial extent of τ Ceti’s debris disk, demonstrating that the disk will be at least partly exposed to the ISM outside the astropause, regardless of how the disk is actually oriented relative to the astrospheric structure. -- astro-ph.SR

Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, tau Ceti

HST Observations of HD 166620 and Tau Ceti: First UV Spectra of a Magnetic Grand Minimum Star and the Extent of Tau Ceti’s Astrosphere

by Keith CowingJanuary 16, 2026January 16, 2026

We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) UV spectra of the K2 V star HD 166620, the first star clearly recognized to be in a “magnetic grand minimum” state analogous to the Sun’s “Maunder Minimum” in the late 1600’s.

The rings of Saturn and Uranus as imaged by JWST NIRCam. These images provide an empirical example in which the flux of the ring system is comparable to, or even exceeds, that of the planet when observed with NIRCam. The image of Saturn was created using data from JWST GTO 1247.a The image of Uranus was created using data from JWST DD 2739.b -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Proxima Centauri, Saturn, tau Ceti, Uranus

On the Detection Of Exorings in Reflected Light With JWST NIRCam

by Keith CowingSeptember 19, 2025September 19, 2025

Artist’s rendition of variety of exoplanets featured in the new NASA TESS-Keck Survey Mass Catalog, the largest, single, homogenous analysis of TESS planets released by any survey thus far. Credit: W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko

Alpha Centauri, Astrogeology, Beta Pictoris, Ceres, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto, Proxima Centauri, Saturn, tau Ceti, TRAPPIST-1, Uranus, Venus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Classifications For Exoplanet and Exoplanetary Systems

by Keith CowingSeptember 17, 2024September 17, 2024

Alpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, tau Ceti

Improving Earth-like Planet Detection in Radial Velocity Using Deep Learning

by Keith CowingMay 24, 2024May 24, 2024

Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, tau Ceti

High Contrast Imaging at 10 microns, A Search for Exoplanets Around: Eps Indi A, Eps Eri, Tau Ceti, Sirius A and Sirius B

by Keith CowingApril 27, 2021August 23, 2022

tau Ceti

An Integrated Analysis With Predictions On The Architecture Of The Tau Ceti Planetary System, Including a Habitable Zone Planet

by Keith CowingOctober 28, 2020

This infographic compares the characteristics of three classes of stars in our galaxy: Sunlike stars are classified as G stars; stars less massive and cooler than our Sun are K dwarfs; and even fainter and cooler stars are the reddish M dwarfs. The graphic compares the stars in terms of several important variables. The habitable zones, potentially capable of hosting life-bearing planets, are wider for hotter stars. The longevity for red dwarf M stars can exceed 100 billion years. K dwarf ages can range from 15 to 45 billion years. And, our Sun only lasts for 10 billion years. The relative amount of harmful radiation (to life as we know it) that stars emit can be 80 to 500 times more intense for M dwarfs relative to our Sun, but only 5 to 25 times more intense for the orange K dwarfs. Red dwarfs make up the bulk of the Milky Way's population, about 73%. Sunlike stars are merely 6% of the population, and K dwarfs are at 13%. When these four variables are balanced, the most suitable stars for potentially hosting advanced life forms are K dwarfs. Credits: NASA, ESA and Z. Levy (STScI) Larger image

Alpha Centauri, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Brown Dwarfs, Epsilon Eridani, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Proxima Centauri, tau Ceti, TRAPPIST-1

Goldilocks Stars Are Best Places to Look for Life

by Keith CowingJanuary 8, 2020August 13, 2025

Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, tau Ceti

Four Earth-sized Planets Detected Orbiting tau Ceti

by Keith CowingAugust 12, 2017August 23, 2022

Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, tau Ceti

Two Possible Planets In Tau Ceti's Habitable Zone

by Keith CowingAugust 7, 2017August 23, 2022

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Fomalhaut, tau Ceti

ALMA Observations of the Debris Disk of Solar Analogue Tau Ceti

by Keith CowingJuly 13, 2016September 5, 2025