Moons orbiting rogue planets, worlds flung from their parent star systems into the cold of interstellar space, could maintain liquid water on their surfaces for billions of years if wrapped in a dense ...

Astronomers might be close to confirming the presence of an Earth-like atmosphere on an exoplanet for the first time, if more detailed analyses verify preliminary observations from the James Webb ...

New research has revealed the potential for an atmosphere around an Earth-sized planet located about 40 light-years away. A team from the University of St Andrews has published a study on TRAPPIST-1e, ...

Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to study the harsh space weather around young M dwarf stars. Mysterious dips in starlight turned out to be massive rings of plasma swirling in the stars’ ...

Space telescopes are revolutionizing exoplanet discovery, allowing astronomers to detect Earth-like worlds orbiting distant stars. By observing subtle dimming of starlight, measuring gravitational ...

New research shows how the star's powerful outbursts could help scientists assess which worlds might support life. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When astronomers search for planets that could host liquid water on their surface, they start by looking at a star’s habitable zone. Water is a key ingredient for life, and on a planet too close to ...

New research using Nasa’s powerful JWST telescope has identified a planet 41 light years away which may have an atmosphere. The planet is within the “habitable zone”, the region around a star where ...

The universe contains many surprises and opportunities, including the phenomena of exoplanets. Our universe is full of endless discoveries and possibilities that scientists continue to pursue in ...

The recent discovery of a potential gas giant circling the nearby star Alpha Centauri A has led to speculation that it may be orbited in turn by a habitable moon that could support life, just like in ...

Moons orbiting free-floating planets, planets drifting through space without a parent star, might seem like unlikely candidates for life. However, a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Morgan Underwood, Rice University (THE CONVERSATION) When astronomers search for ...