Euclid reveals millions of stars and thousands of hidden exoplanets in the Milky Way

The ESA's Euclid space telescope has captured an unprecedented view of the Milky Way's center, revealing a mosaic of tens of millions of stars in extraordinary detail. This observation, completed in just 26 hours, not only provides a detailed image of the region but also serves as a map of stellar evolution, from dark clouds where stars are born to ancient populations packed into the galactic bulge. Beyond the visible stars, this dense field of light conceals thousands of exoplanets that cannot be directly observed. Astronomers identify them through gravitational microlensing, a technique that measures tiny, temporary changes in light as one star passes in front of another. This method allows for the detection of planets and even the estimation of their masses based solely on their gravitational effects. Although Euclid was primarily designed to investigate dark matter and dark energy, its capabilities are opening a new window into exploring our own galaxy and the unseen worlds within it. This ability to detect exoplanets via gravitational microlensing in such a dense stellar region underscores the telescope's versatility and its potential to significantly contribute to exoplanetology, in addition to its primary cosmological objectives.

Chandra Reveals More Extended Spiral Arms in the Milky Way

New observations from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory suggest that the outer spiral arms of the Milky Way extend further than previously thought. This finding could modify our current understanding of our galaxy's structure, challenging existing models of its morphology and size. A team of astronomers made this discovery by precisely measuring the distances to dust clouds, using Chandra data. The observatory's ability to detect X-ray emissions from these distant regions has been crucial for determining their location with unprecedented accuracy. These measurements have allowed for mapping the outermost regions of the spiral arms, revealing a greater extension than expected. The main implication of this research is that the Milky Way might be a larger barred spiral galaxy than previously believed. This not only affects theoretical models of galactic formation and evolution but could also influence the estimation of dark matter distribution and stellar dynamics in peripheral regions. Future research will focus on corroborating these results with other observational techniques and refining galactic structure models.

Webb detects atmosphere of exoplanet that survived its star's death

An international team of astronomers has used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the exoplanet WD 1856 b as it transited its host star, a white dwarf. They have successfully measured the planet's mass and temperature, and for the first time, detected its atmosphere. This finding provides the first direct insight into the fate of gas giant planets, similar to Jupiter, after their host star exhausts its nuclear fuel and becomes a white dwarf, a scenario awaiting our own solar system billions of years from now. The researchers found that WD 1856 b is significantly warmer than anticipated. In addition to the atmospheric detection, the study has allowed for the determination of the most probable mechanism by which the planet reached its current, extremely close orbit around the white dwarf. This discovery is crucial for understanding planetary dynamics in post-main-sequence stellar systems and offers clues about the potential habitability of such worlds in the distant future of the universe.

NASA Seeks Volunteers for Yearlong Simulated Moon, Mars Mission

NASA is recruiting participants for its next simulated deep space mission. Starting no earlier than August 2027, volunteers will live and work for one year in environments replicating the interplanetary conditions expected on future crewed missions to the Moon or Mars. This initiative will take place at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston, under isolated conditions simulating deep space. The primary goal of these analog missions is to gather crucial data on the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face during long-duration space travel. The information obtained will help NASA develop countermeasures and strategies to ensure crew health and well-being. The agency is looking for candidates who meet astronaut requirements, including a master's degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or equivalent experience, and a relevant professional background. These studies are essential for understanding how isolation, confinement, and the stress of a prolonged space mission affect human performance and team dynamics. The collected data will allow for the optimization of training protocols, habitat design, and life support systems for future lunar and Martian explorations, thus paving the way for sustained human presence beyond Earth's orbit.

Webb reveals how an exoplanet survived its star's death

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided new observations of an exoplanet, designated HIP 65426 b, which has survived the final phase of its star's life. This discovery offers a crucial perspective on the fate of planetary systems, including our own, when their stars exhaust their nuclear fuel and expand into red giants, potentially engulfing their inner planets. HIP 65426 b is a gas giant with a mass of approximately six to twelve times that of Jupiter, orbiting at a considerable distance from its host star, HIP 65426. The star, which is about twice as massive as our Sun, has passed through the red giant phase, an event that typically drastically alters nearby planetary systems. The exoplanet's ability to persist after this stellar event provides valuable data to validate and refine theoretical models of stellar and planetary evolution. JWST observations, utilizing its infrared capabilities, allowed astronomers to characterize the planet's atmosphere and orbit with unprecedented precision. The distance of HIP 65426 b from its star (approximately 92 astronomical units) is considered a key factor in its survival. This separation allowed it to escape the star's expanded envelope during its red giant phase, a fate that likely awaits planets like Earth when the Sun expands in billions of years. This study underscores the importance of direct exoplanet observations for understanding long-term astrophysical processes. Webb's data not only confirms the existence of planets that can survive the death of their stars but also opens new avenues for investigating the conditions and mechanisms that enable such survival. Future observations of similar systems with JWST promise to shed more light on the long-term habitability of exoplanets and the evolution of stellar systems.

Notable Astronomical Events in July 2026

July 2026 will offer a series of notable astronomical events for skywatchers. Among the highlights are a predawn meetup between the Moon and several planets, the return of a comet, an excellent opportunity to observe the Milky Way, and a new perspective on Saturn's rings. The month will begin with a planetary conjunction visible before dawn, where the Moon will align with several planets, creating a visual spectacle in the eastern sky. Additionally, a returning comet will be visible near Earth, offering an opportunity for amateur astronomers to track its trajectory. July nights will also be ideal for observing the Milky Way, especially in locations with low light pollution, due to Earth's orbital position. Finally, Saturn's rings will present a different viewing angle than usual. This change in the rings' inclination relative to Earth will allow terrestrial and space telescopes to obtain new perspectives and potentially reveal details not visible in other configurations, contributing to the understanding of the dynamics and composition of this ring system.