Nature Astronomy
@natastron.nature.com
A Nature journal dedicated to presenting the very best research across the disciplines of astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology and planetary science.📡
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Nature Astronomy
@natastron.nature.com
· Jun 20
Our June(teenth) issue is now here to read: https://bit.ly/3ZI5VOV
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
Continuous evaluation through a project can lead to high-impact science.
@europlanetmedia.bsky.social hired an Impact Evaluation Officer to fix objectives, monitor & adapt the focus of the evaluation.
The project is now featured in @natastron.nature.com as a case study 🧪 bit.ly/3L67IZJ
#SciComm
@europlanetmedia.bsky.social hired an Impact Evaluation Officer to fix objectives, monitor & adapt the focus of the evaluation.
The project is now featured in @natastron.nature.com as a case study 🧪 bit.ly/3L67IZJ
#SciComm
Insights into evaluating a research project through an impact case study of a pan-European research infrastructure
Nature Astronomy - Measuring the impact or the ‘value-for-money’ of a research infrastructure can be challenging, but here lessons from Europlanet demonstrate the worth of embedding an...
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Continuous evaluation through a project can lead to high-impact science.
@europlanetmedia.bsky.social hired an Impact Evaluation Officer to fix objectives, monitor & adapt the focus of the evaluation.
The project is now featured in @natastron.nature.com as a case study 🧪 bit.ly/3L67IZJ
#SciComm
@europlanetmedia.bsky.social hired an Impact Evaluation Officer to fix objectives, monitor & adapt the focus of the evaluation.
The project is now featured in @natastron.nature.com as a case study 🧪 bit.ly/3L67IZJ
#SciComm
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
One of our top-rated articles on @altmetric.com this past week was published in @natastron.nature.com. You can read 'An extremely luminous flare recorded from a supermassive black hole' here: spklr.io/63326BzNWs
🔭 #astronomy #astro
🔭 #astronomy #astro
An extremely luminous flare recorded from a supermassive black hole - Nature Astronomy
An extreme flare has been seen from a supermassive black hole at redshift z = 2.6. First detected in 2018, it is 30 times brighter than similar events. The most likely cause is the shredding of a star of 30 solar masses or more.
spklr.io
November 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
One of our top-rated articles on @altmetric.com this past week was published in @natastron.nature.com. You can read 'An extremely luminous flare recorded from a supermassive black hole' here: spklr.io/63326BzNWs
🔭 #astronomy #astro
🔭 #astronomy #astro
Great to see 4MOST obtaining first light. We featured 4MOST in our Mission Control column back in 2019: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Great to see 4MOST obtaining first light. We featured 4MOST in our Mission Control column back in 2019: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
The water you're drinking could be older than the Sun! 🚰
New ALMA observations show that water molecules carry the same chemical fingerprint all the way from star-forming clouds to planet-forming discs and comets, meaning these molecules remain unaltered.
Learn more: www.eso.org/public/blog/...
🧪🔭
New ALMA observations show that water molecules carry the same chemical fingerprint all the way from star-forming clouds to planet-forming discs and comets, meaning these molecules remain unaltered.
Learn more: www.eso.org/public/blog/...
🧪🔭
ESOblog: How old is our water?
How old is our water?
www.eso.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The water you're drinking could be older than the Sun! 🚰
New ALMA observations show that water molecules carry the same chemical fingerprint all the way from star-forming clouds to planet-forming discs and comets, meaning these molecules remain unaltered.
Learn more: www.eso.org/public/blog/...
🧪🔭
New ALMA observations show that water molecules carry the same chemical fingerprint all the way from star-forming clouds to planet-forming discs and comets, meaning these molecules remain unaltered.
Learn more: www.eso.org/public/blog/...
🧪🔭
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
@natastron.nature.com’s cover looks amazing this month! Read more about our study on interstellar turbulence here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
August 23, 2025 at 11:09 PM
@natastron.nature.com’s cover looks amazing this month! Read more about our study on interstellar turbulence here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
1/ 🔭 Massive stars often come in pairs – even in the early #Universe
A new study led by H. Sana (KU Leuven), with contributions from MPIA‘s Jaime Villaseñor @jvillasr.bsky.social, reveals that most massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud #SMC have a close partner star.
#Astronomy #MassiveStars
A new study led by H. Sana (KU Leuven), with contributions from MPIA‘s Jaime Villaseñor @jvillasr.bsky.social, reveals that most massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud #SMC have a close partner star.
#Astronomy #MassiveStars
Massive star in metal-poor environment often have close partner
Massive stars in metal-poor galaxies often have close partners, just like the massive stars in our metal-rich Milky Way. This is discovered by an international team of seventy astronomers, co-led by P...
fys.kuleuven.be
September 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
1/ 🔭 Massive stars often come in pairs – even in the early #Universe
A new study led by H. Sana (KU Leuven), with contributions from MPIA‘s Jaime Villaseñor @jvillasr.bsky.social, reveals that most massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud #SMC have a close partner star.
#Astronomy #MassiveStars
A new study led by H. Sana (KU Leuven), with contributions from MPIA‘s Jaime Villaseñor @jvillasr.bsky.social, reveals that most massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud #SMC have a close partner star.
#Astronomy #MassiveStars
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
💥💥 Double detonation!
For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by detonating twice.
The fingerprint that points to this mechanism is represented by two separate shells of calcium.
Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2511/
🔭 🧪 ☄️ 1/
For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by detonating twice.
The fingerprint that points to this mechanism is represented by two separate shells of calcium.
Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2511/
🔭 🧪 ☄️ 1/
July 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
💥💥 Double detonation!
For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by detonating twice.
The fingerprint that points to this mechanism is represented by two separate shells of calcium.
Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2511/
🔭 🧪 ☄️ 1/
For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by detonating twice.
The fingerprint that points to this mechanism is represented by two separate shells of calcium.
Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2511/
🔭 🧪 ☄️ 1/
Our June(teenth) issue is now here to read: https://bit.ly/3ZI5VOV
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Our June(teenth) issue is now here to read: https://bit.ly/3ZI5VOV
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
The cover image depicts a ticking time bomb... a supernova progenitor on our doorstep! But don't worry, we still have a good 20 billion years until it goes bang.
Gessey-Jones et al. show that future radio telescopes will be able to reveal the mass distribution of the first stars in the Universe by detecting their impact on a faint radio signal of hydrogen atoms from Cosmic Dawn. https://bit.ly/4kMS3LJ 🔭
Determination of the mass distribution of the first stars from the 21-cm signal - Nature Astronomy
Next-generation radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array, will be able to reveal the mass distribution of the first stars in the Universe by detecting their impact on a faint radio signal of hydrogen atoms from Cosmic Dawn.
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Gessey-Jones et al. show that future radio telescopes will be able to reveal the mass distribution of the first stars in the Universe by detecting their impact on a faint radio signal of hydrogen atoms from Cosmic Dawn. https://bit.ly/4kMS3LJ 🔭
The precessing jet in M87, exhibiting an unexpectedly broader width in the inner region, is found to be linked to a compact, tilted accretion disk, providing new insights into the jet-disk-BH configuration and formation. Cui & Lin: https://bit.ly/44gcjhV 🔭
Co-precession of a curved jet and compact accretion disk in M87 - Nature Astronomy
M87’s jet is precessing with a relatively short 11-year period and seems to be curved in the vicinity of the black hole, rather than being strictly collimated. This indicates the presence of a compact accretion disk and points to gaps in our understanding of jet dynamics.
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The precessing jet in M87, exhibiting an unexpectedly broader width in the inner region, is found to be linked to a compact, tilted accretion disk, providing new insights into the jet-disk-BH configuration and formation. Cui & Lin: https://bit.ly/44gcjhV 🔭
The Fermi-LAT collaboration reports a significant γ-ray detection (5.2σ) from the coronae of radio-quiet AGNs, revealing compact (∼10 gravitational radii) and extended (∼2.7×10⁶ gravitational radii) coronal regions, challenging existing models. https://bit.ly/3HNT0VD 🔭
Fermi detection of gamma-ray emission from the hot coronae of radio-quiet active galactic nuclei - Nature Astronomy
The Fermi-LAT Collaboration reports a significant γ-ray detection (5.2σ) from the coronae of radio-quiet active galactic nuclei, revealing compact (~10 gravitational radii) and extended (~2.7 × 106 gravitational radii) corona regions, challenging existing models.
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Fermi-LAT collaboration reports a significant γ-ray detection (5.2σ) from the coronae of radio-quiet AGNs, revealing compact (∼10 gravitational radii) and extended (∼2.7×10⁶ gravitational radii) coronal regions, challenging existing models. https://bit.ly/3HNT0VD 🔭
The Martian terrain has influenced its early surface evolution, allowing regions of stable chemical weathering to develop and trap water and minerals, weakening Mars’ climate feedback and limiting long-term hydrological activity. Moore et al.: https://bit.ly/3SPHSKd 🔭
Deep chemical weathering on ancient Mars landscapes driven by erosional and climatic patterns - Nature Astronomy
New findings reveal how terrain influenced Mars’s early surface evolution, allowing regions of stable chemical weathering to develop and permanently trap water and minerals, weakening Mars’s climate feedback and limiting long-term hydrological activity.
bit.ly
June 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Martian terrain has influenced its early surface evolution, allowing regions of stable chemical weathering to develop and trap water and minerals, weakening Mars’ climate feedback and limiting long-term hydrological activity. Moore et al.: https://bit.ly/3SPHSKd 🔭
Using a cosmological sample of fast radio bursts, Connor et al. have measured the Universe’s missing baryons, finding that most reside in the diffuse intergalactic medium, not galaxies, confirming strong astrophysical feedback seen in simulations https://bit.ly/3Zzja4r 🔭
A gas-rich cosmic web revealed by the partitioning of the missing baryons - Nature Astronomy
Using a large cosmological sample of FRBs, Connor et al. have located many of the Universe’s unseen baryons, finding that most reside in the diffuse intergalactic medium, not galaxies—confirming the strong astrophysical feedback seen in simulations.
bit.ly
June 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Using a cosmological sample of fast radio bursts, Connor et al. have measured the Universe’s missing baryons, finding that most reside in the diffuse intergalactic medium, not galaxies, confirming strong astrophysical feedback seen in simulations https://bit.ly/3Zzja4r 🔭
Simulations of long-term atmospheric evolution show that rocky planets with Earth-like masses in the classical Habitable Zone of Sun-like stars can retain thick He-dominated primordial atmospheres. Lammer, Scherf et al.: https://bit.ly/43Z5CAy 🔭@iwf-oeaw.bsky.social
Earth-mass planets with He atmospheres in the habitable zone of Sun-like stars - Nature Astronomy
Simulations of long-term atmospheric evolution show that rocky planets with Earth-like masses in the classical habitable zone of Sun-like stars can retain thick He-dominated primordial atmospheres.
bit.ly
June 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Simulations of long-term atmospheric evolution show that rocky planets with Earth-like masses in the classical Habitable Zone of Sun-like stars can retain thick He-dominated primordial atmospheres. Lammer, Scherf et al.: https://bit.ly/43Z5CAy 🔭@iwf-oeaw.bsky.social
Multi-instrumental data analysis reveals a giant exoplanet in orbit around the 0.2 M_sol star TOI-6894. This poses strong challenges to planet formation theories and is an excellent target for atmospheric characterisation. Bryant et al.: https://bit.ly/4ktRZk7 #AstroSci
A transiting giant planet in orbit around a 0.2-solar-mass host star - Nature Astronomy
Analysis of data from multiple instruments reveals a giant exoplanet in orbit around the 0.2-solar-mass star TOI-6894. The existence of this exoplanetary system challenges assumptions about planet formation and it is an excellent target for atmospheric characterization.
bit.ly
June 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Multi-instrumental data analysis reveals a giant exoplanet in orbit around the 0.2 M_sol star TOI-6894. This poses strong challenges to planet formation theories and is an excellent target for atmospheric characterisation. Bryant et al.: https://bit.ly/4ktRZk7 #AstroSci
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
The likelihood of a collision between the Milky Way and its neighbouring galaxy Andromeda may be smaller than previously thought, according to a new simulation described in @natastron.nature.com. Read the article here: http://spklr.io/63326h7cn #Astronomy #MilkyWay #Science
No certainty of a Milky Way–Andromeda collision - Nature Astronomy
It is widely believed that the Milky Way is set to collide with Andromeda, its nearest neighbour. New calculations using data from Hubble and Gaia that account for the effects of other galaxies show an almost 50% chance of our Galaxy avoiding this fate.
spklr.io
June 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The likelihood of a collision between the Milky Way and its neighbouring galaxy Andromeda may be smaller than previously thought, according to a new simulation described in @natastron.nature.com. Read the article here: http://spklr.io/63326h7cn #Astronomy #MilkyWay #Science
A 10 M⨁ planet is detected in the habitable zone (HZ) of the solar-type star Kepler-725 using transit timing variations. This study proposes a complementary pathway to probe low-mass exoplanets in the HZs of Sun-like stars. Sun et al.: https://bit.ly/4kIUH4F 🔭
A temperate 10-Earth-mass exoplanet around the Sun-like star Kepler-725 - Nature Astronomy
A 10-Earth-mass planet is detected in the habitable zone of the solar-type star Kepler-725 using the transit timing variation technique. This study proposes a complementary pathway to probe low-mass exoplanets (including Earth-like planets) in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars.
bit.ly
June 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A 10 M⨁ planet is detected in the habitable zone (HZ) of the solar-type star Kepler-725 using transit timing variations. This study proposes a complementary pathway to probe low-mass exoplanets in the HZs of Sun-like stars. Sun et al.: https://bit.ly/4kIUH4F 🔭
Our galaxy is on a collision course with Andromeda, right? Not so fast. New calculations using HST & Gaia data and accounting for the effect of Magellanic Clouds show an almost 50% chance of the Milky Way avoiding this fate. Sawala et al.: https://bit.ly/4kNlvky #AstroSci
No certainty of a Milky Way–Andromeda collision - Nature Astronomy
It is widely believed that the Milky Way is set to collide with Andromeda, its nearest neighbour. New calculations using data from Hubble and Gaia that account for the effects of other galaxies show an almost 50% chance of our Galaxy avoiding this fate.
bit.ly
June 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Our galaxy is on a collision course with Andromeda, right? Not so fast. New calculations using HST & Gaia data and accounting for the effect of Magellanic Clouds show an almost 50% chance of the Milky Way avoiding this fate. Sawala et al.: https://bit.ly/4kNlvky #AstroSci
JWST/MIRI observations of both Pluto and Charon uncover surface properties and reveal that Pluto’s haze plays a key role in controlling the atmospheric temperature. Bertrand et al.:
https://bit.ly/3HkbmgA #AstroSci
https://bit.ly/3HkbmgA #AstroSci
Evidence of haze control of Pluto’s atmospheric heat balance from JWST/MIRI thermal light curves - Nature Astronomy
The MIRI spectrometer onboard JWST measured Pluto and Charon’s infrared emissions separately, uncovering surface properties and revealing that Pluto’s haze plays a key role in controlling the atmospheric temperature.
bit.ly
June 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
JWST/MIRI observations of both Pluto and Charon uncover surface properties and reveal that Pluto’s haze plays a key role in controlling the atmospheric temperature. Bertrand et al.:
https://bit.ly/3HkbmgA #AstroSci
https://bit.ly/3HkbmgA #AstroSci
JWST obs. suggest that both pebbles and planetesimals played key roles in forming the giant exoplanet WASP-121 b beyond the H2O ice line. Also, strong vertical mixing likely drives the nightside atmospheric chemistry. Evans-Soma et al.: https://bit.ly/43E4IcC #AstroSci
SiO and a super-stellar C/O ratio in the atmosphere of the giant exoplanet WASP-121 b - Nature Astronomy
JWST observations suggest that both pebbles and planetesimals played an important role in forming the giant exoplanet WASP-121 b beyond the H2O ice line. They also indicate that strong vertical mixing likely drives the nightside atmospheric chemistry.
bit.ly
June 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
JWST obs. suggest that both pebbles and planetesimals played key roles in forming the giant exoplanet WASP-121 b beyond the H2O ice line. Also, strong vertical mixing likely drives the nightside atmospheric chemistry. Evans-Soma et al.: https://bit.ly/43E4IcC #AstroSci
High-res observations of fine structure in the Sun’s corona hint at plasma features ~10 km in size. A new adaptive optics system reduces atmospheric image blur over a twisted plasma stream travelling at 90 km/s as it becomes unstable: https://bit.ly/43hhleJ #AstroSci
Observations of fine coronal structures with high-order solar adaptive optics - Nature Astronomy
High-resolution observations of fine structure in the Sun’s corona hint at plasma features on the order of 10 km. A new adaptive optics system, Cona, lifts the veil of atmospheric blur over a fast-moving, twisted plasma stream as it becomes unstable.
bit.ly
May 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM
High-res observations of fine structure in the Sun’s corona hint at plasma features ~10 km in size. A new adaptive optics system reduces atmospheric image blur over a twisted plasma stream travelling at 90 km/s as it becomes unstable: https://bit.ly/43hhleJ #AstroSci
Giant planets on wide, eccentric orbits (like putative Planet 9) may form when stars are embedded in their natal stellar clusters. Sims suggest a 1-5% chance of such planets forming in exoplanetary systems & up to 40% in the Solar System. https://bit.ly/4dD7VOi #AstroSci
Very-wide-orbit planets from dynamical instabilities during the stellar birth cluster phase - Nature Astronomy
Giant planets on wide, eccentric orbits—like the putative Planet Nine—may form from dynamical planetary instabilities when stars are embedded in their natal stellar clusters. Simulations suggest a 1–5% chance of such planets forming in exoplanetary systems and up to 40% in the Solar System.
bit.ly
May 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Giant planets on wide, eccentric orbits (like putative Planet 9) may form when stars are embedded in their natal stellar clusters. Sims suggest a 1-5% chance of such planets forming in exoplanetary systems & up to 40% in the Solar System. https://bit.ly/4dD7VOi #AstroSci
Reposted by Nature Astronomy
Schedule for #BlackSpaceWeek 2025! Links to register coming soon🤭 Which event/panels pique your interest? 👀
May 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Schedule for #BlackSpaceWeek 2025! Links to register coming soon🤭 Which event/panels pique your interest? 👀
Using LAMOST data, Yu et al. find that binary stars with orbital periods < 1 day show enhanced magnetic activity compared to single stars, along with supersaturation. These findings constrain poorly understood dynamo processes in contact binaries.
Enhanced magnetic activity in rapidly rotating binary stars - Nature Astronomy
Binary stars with orbital periods of less than a day show magnetic activity beyond the saturation limit of single stars. This enhanced activity is probably driven by a large-scale α–ω dynamo during common-envelope evolution.
bit.ly
May 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Using LAMOST data, Yu et al. find that binary stars with orbital periods < 1 day show enhanced magnetic activity compared to single stars, along with supersaturation. These findings constrain poorly understood dynamo processes in contact binaries.
Hydrogen escape contributed to Mars' progressive aridity, but current H-loss rates cannot explain inferred past water abundances. A 3D model shows that during periods of increased axis tilt H-loss rates were up to 10x higher than at present.
Increased hydrogen escape from Mars atmosphere during periods of high obliquity - Nature Astronomy
Hydrogen escape has contributed to Mars’s progressive aridity, but current hydrogen loss rates cannot explain inferred past water abundances. A three-dimensional model shows that during periods of increased axis tilt, hydrogen loss rates were up to ten times higher than present values.
bit.ly
May 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Hydrogen escape contributed to Mars' progressive aridity, but current H-loss rates cannot explain inferred past water abundances. A 3D model shows that during periods of increased axis tilt H-loss rates were up to 10x higher than at present.