Keith Cowing

Reflectance spectra of purple and blue-green cyanobacteria (top), PNSB (N = 10) (middle), and, PSB (N = 12) (bottom) where N denotes the number of samples. Labels of main pigments identified: (a) Chl-a Soret band, (b) Carotenoids, (c) Chl-a Qx band, (d) Phycobilins, (e) Chl-a Qy band, (f) BChl-a Soret band, (g) BChl-a, b Qx band, (h) BChl-a Qy band, and (i) BChl-b Qy band. Dry samples (right) show a stronger reflectance than fresh samples (left), water absorption features at 1490 and 1900 nm are stronger in the fresh samples. The reflectance of the culture medium alone is shown as a dotted line for control. — astro-ph.EP

We present a catalog of 150 variable stars, including 13 stars with exoplanet candidates. 37 stars were identified as variables for the first time.

[Left] NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera on April 9, 2024 (Sol 1115) at the local mean solar time of 12:03:55. Larger image [Right] this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera on April 9, 2024 (Sol 1115) at the local mean solar time of 12:03:54. Larger image. Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU [ Larger version of both images ]

Comparison of bolometric energies and durations of NUV (blue crosses) and optical (red dots) M dwarf flares from this work with those of solar and stellar flares observed with SDO/HMI (black solid stars; Namekata et al. 2017), GALEX (black astericks; Brasseur et al. 2019), DEC (solid diamonds; Webb et al. 2021) and Kepler (open triangles and open squares; Shibayama et al. 2013; Maehara et al. 2015). The cadence sizes are 45 s, 10 s, 20 s, and 1 or 30 min, respectively. The dashed and dotted lines correspond to scaling laws between flare durations and energies corresponding to either constant magnetic field (B) with varying emitting region length scale (L) or constant emitting region length scale with varying magnetic field. — astro-ph.SR

Surfaces of carbonaceous asteroids (C-complex) have shown diverse contrasting spectral variations, which may be related to space weathering.

Detection of radio emission from Jupiter was identified quickly as being due to its planetary-scale magnetic field.

Scientists in Cambridge University suggest molecules, vital to the development of life, could have formed from a process known as graphitisation.

Though free-floating planets (FFPs) that have been ejected from their natal star systems may outpopulate their bound counterparts in the terrestrial-mass range, they remain one of the least explored exoplanet demographics.

The first clue for finding life on other planets is finding liquid water. The moons of Saturn and Jupiter like Enceladus, Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto are suspected of holding oceans of liquid water beneath icy crusts. Similarly, some exoplanets beyond our solar system likely host liquid water, crucial for habitability.

possible RIF in FY 2025