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Example full-resolution Ariel transmission spectrum of the hot-Saturn WASP-39 b simulated at Tier 2 precision (black error bars). The underlying atmosphere model assumes chemical equilibrium with a solar C/O ratio (0.54), 10× solar metallicity, and no clouds. The opacity contributions of individual species to the total spectrum are shown with different colours and represent the major chemical species with significant opacity in the Ariel wavelength range. The wavebands of Ariel’s instruments are labelled underneath the spectrum. -- astro-ph.EP

Ariel Mission, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy

On The Information Content of Ariel Transmission Spectra: Reassessing The Tier System

by Keith CowingApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

The European Space Agency’s Ariel mission will conduct a survey of the atmospheric properties of exoplanets around bright stars.

Two images of protoplanetary discs Tau 042021 (left) and Oph 163131 (right). -- ESA Larger imagery

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy

A Pair Of Planet-forming Disks

by Keith CowingApril 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Scouting hot springs in the El Tatio Geyser Field in Northern Chile with funds from a NASA Early Career Collaboration Award. Sampling was performed with permission of the Toconce and Caspana communities. --Carolynn Harris via NASA.gov

Astrobiology (general), Career Opportunities, Conferences and Meetings, Education and Outreach, NASA Astrobiology Program

Astrobiology Early Career Opportunities: March 2026 Digest

by Keith CowingMarch 31, 2026March 31, 2026

Hubble drifts over Earth after its release on 19 May 2009 by the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The crew had performed all planned tasks over the course of five spacewalks, making the Servicing Mission 4, the fifth astronaut visit to the Hubble Space Telescope, an unqualified success. Credit: NASA/ESA larger image

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans

Building A Roadmap For Hubble Science Into The 2030s

by Keith CowingMarch 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Plato readies for space-like tests -- ESA larger image

Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Missions & Hardware

Plato Exoplanet Mission Hardware Testing

by Keith CowingMarch 20, 2026March 20, 2026

A mass migration of stellar twins. Stars similar to our Sun form a mass migration from the center of the Milky Way, occurring approximately 4 to 6 billion years ago. Credit NAOJ

Astronomy & Telescopes, Gaia Mission, Stellar Cartography

Our Sun Escaped Together With Stellar Twins From Galaxy Center

by Keith CowingMarch 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Binary and Planet periods for the detected planets in the synthetic yield

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia Mission, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy

Predicting Gaia Astrometry’s Ability To Constrain The Populations Of Circumbinary Planets

by Keith CowingMarch 6, 2026March 6, 2026

How ESA's Mars orbiters make use of radio occultation -- ESA

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Habitable Zones, Mars, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics

ESA Orbiters Watch A Solar Superstorm Hit Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Comparative Genomics - Image GitHub

AI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine

ESA–NASA Omics Data Sharing Seminar – 11 March

by Keith CowingMarch 6, 2026March 6, 2026

The main image at left shows a combined Webb and Hubble view of spiral galaxy NGC 1637, with the region of interest Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Kilpatrick (Northwestern), A. Suresh (Northwestern); Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI) Larger image

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar

Astrochemistry: JWST Locates Supernova Progenitor Was Surrounded By Carbon-rich Dust

by Keith CowingFebruary 23, 2026February 23, 2026