Key Highlights
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For the first time, astronomers have searched for Trojan planets, called exotrojans, in pulsar systems using precise timing data. This pioneering search places new upper limits on the possible mass of these hidden worlds, offering the first observational constraints on their existence around these exotic stars.
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The study found weak hints of possible exotrojans as massive as 2-4 Jupiters in two pulsar systems, though the signals likely have another source. This result shows how sensitive timing techniques can reveal subtle gravitational tugs, pushing the boundaries of what we can detect in extreme environments.
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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a core tool in astronomy, researchers are starting to ask deep philosophical questions about what it means to truly “understand” a discovery made by a machine. This introspection highlights the growing need for collaboration between astronomers and philosophers of science.
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The philosopher Mary Midgley’s analogy—comparing philosophy to plumbing—is now resonating with astronomers, as foundational questions about knowledge and discovery come to the forefront. This signals a shift in the field, where the tools of discovery are prompting scientists to examine the very nature of discovery itself.
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New high-resolution simulations show how studying a large impact basin on the metal-rich asteroid Psyche could reveal if it has a dense metallic core. This work is crucial preparation for NASA’s upcoming Psyche mission, which aims to determine if the asteroid is the exposed core of a failed planet.
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By modeling collisions on two possible versions of Psyche—one with a core and one that is a mixed rubble pile—scientists can predict what the mission should observe. Comparing these predictions with real data will finally answer the long-standing question of Psyche’s origin and interior structure.
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A simple physics experiment demonstrates that a block of ice with an uneven bottom can propel itself through water as it melts. This process, driven by subtle differences in melt rates, may help explain the unexpected movements of real icebergs and glaciers in our oceans.
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The self-propulsion of melting ice is a newly recognized mechanism that could be relevant on a planetary scale. Understanding this force adds a new piece to the complex puzzle of how ice behaves in a warming climate, influencing sea-level rise predictions.
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The Gaia space telescope has detected subtle wobbles in baby star systems, hinting at the presence of unseen planets carving gaps in their protoplanetary disks. This astrometric technique provides a powerful new way to find planets in the very act of formation.
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By peering into the dusty cradles of planet formation, Gaia’s precise measurements allow astronomers to infer the gravitational influence of young, still-forming planets. This opens a direct window into the early stages of planetary system assembly, a process that was once largely theoretical.
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