A small, rocky world orbiting a red dwarf star roughly 48 light-years from Earth has become the focus of a new study challenging assumptions about what makes a planet capable of supporting life. The ...

Astronomers have discovered a curious new exoplanet that challenges assumptions about hot Jupiters, some of the most extreme ...

Many exoplanets to be found by coming high-powered telescopes will probably be tidally locked — with one side permanently facing their host star — according to new research by astronomer Rory Barnes ...

There’s a reason we only ever see one side of the Moon. It’s tidally locked to the Earth, presenting only one side to us as it orbits around the planet. Tidal locking is a fate that befalls lots of ...

Lightning, with its extreme temperatures, is capable of transforming atmospheric gases into prebiotic compounds. These molecules are essential for the emergence of life, as may have been the case on ...

Atmosphere May Prevent Tidal Locking | RealClearScience Even a thin atmosphere can keep a planet spinning freely, giving it a day-and-night cycle like Earth's, say astronomers in Canada and France.

Many exoplanets to be found by coming high-powered telescopes will probably be tidally locked -- with one side permanently facing their host star -- according to new research. Many exoplanets to be ...

Many exoplanets to be found by coming high-powered telescopes will probably be tidally locked -- with one side permanently facing their host star -- according to new research by astronomer Rory Barnes ...