Astronomers discover an Earth-sized “pi planet” with a 3.14-day orbit
The rocky world, with its baking-hot surface, is likely not habitable.
Sept. 21, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: astronomy exoplanets research stars tess school-of-science algorithms kavli-institute planetary-science space-astronomy-and-planetary-science eaps
Lava oceans may not explain the brightness of some hot super-Earths
By making their own lava and cooled glass, scientists find these materials likely aren’t responsible for the unexpected glow of some exoplanets.
Aug. 4, 2020 • ~8 min
Tags: physics astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets research school-of-engineering school-of-science kavli-institute planetary-science eaps and-planetary-science
Study: A plunge in incoming sunlight may have triggered “Snowball Earths”
Findings also suggest exoplanets lying within habitable zones may be susceptible to ice ages.
July 29, 2020 • ~8 min
Tags: mathematics exoplanets geology climate-change environment climate research school-of-science planetary-science eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences
TESS mission discovers massive ice giant
Neptune-sized planet may be remnant core of a much larger planet.
July 1, 2020 • ~5 min
Tags: astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets nasa research school-of-science planetary-science satellites eaps astronomy-and-planetary-science
Citizen scientists spot closest young brown dwarf disk yet
Discovery made through the Disk Detective project could help the search for new planets.
June 2, 2020 • ~8 min
Tags: physics astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets nasa research school-of-science kavli-institute planetary-science crowdsourcing astronomy-and-planetary-science
Study: Life might survive, and thrive, in a hydrogen world
When searching for extraterrestrial life, astronomers may want to look at planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
May 4, 2020 • ~9 min
Tags: astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets bacteria biology space-exploration research school-of-engineering school-of-science kavli-institute planetary-science eaps astronomy-and-planetary-science
Computing and the search for new planets
MIT planetary scientists partner with computer scientists to find exoplanets.
Sept. 23, 2019 • ~8 min
Tags: physics astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets artificial-intelligence nasa research tess school-of-engineering school-of-science computer-science-and-technology aeronautical-and-astronautical-engineering kavli-institute planetary-science satellites eaps mit-schwarzman-college-of-computing astronomy-and-planetary-science
TESS discovers its first Earth-sized planet
Orbiting a nearby star, the new planet is the smallest identified so far by the TESS mission.
April 16, 2019 • ~6 min
Tags: astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets nasa research school-of-science aeronautical-and-astronautical-engineering kavli-institute planetary-science satellites eaps astronomy-and-planetary-science
Robert Simcoe named director of MIT Kavli Institute
An expert in instrumentation and early universe observations, Simcoe succeeds Jacqueline Hewitt as head of MIT’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.
Jan. 10, 2019 • ~3 min
Tags: physics astrophysics space astronomy exoplanets leadership nasa research school-of-science faculty kavli-institute administration and-planetary-science
Jacqueline Hewitt to step down as director of the MIT Kavli Institute
Physics professor brought leadership, resources, and an intellectual focus to the MIT astrophysics faculty and research staff during 15 years at the helm.
Nov. 29, 2018 • ~7 min
Tags: physics astrophysics space exoplanets leadership nasa research tess school-of-science faculty kavli-institute ligo astronomy-and-planetary-science
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