Astrobites
@astrobites.bsky.social
Digestible summaries of the latest astronomy research. Written by an international team of grad students for undergrads! Supported by the @AAS_Office. #scicomm
Pinned
Astrobites
@astrobites.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Interested in following our wonderful Astrobites authors? Check out the starter pack! 🔭
go.bsky.app/5Ab7NLu
go.bsky.app/5Ab7NLu
From Chris Layden: Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS whizzed by the sun late last year. The polarization of its reflected sunlight was quite different from solar system objects we’re familiar with. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/15/3i_atlas_polarization/
Funky reflections from an interstellar object
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS whizzed by the sun late last year. The polarization of its reflected sunlight was quite different from solar system objects we’re familiar with.
astrobites.org
September 17, 2026 at 10:35 PM
From Chris Layden: Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS whizzed by the sun late last year. The polarization of its reflected sunlight was quite different from solar system objects we’re familiar with. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/15/3i_atlas_polarization/
From Ben Sherwin: Hidden in the shapes and positions of millions of galaxies is a measurement of what the universe is made of, if you’re careful enough to extract it. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/12/pretty-pictures-to-cosmology/
How do we go from pretty pictures to cosmology?
Hidden in the shapes and positions of millions of galaxies is a measurement of what the universe is made of, if you're careful enough to extract it.
astrobites.org
September 15, 2026 at 11:23 PM
From Ben Sherwin: Hidden in the shapes and positions of millions of galaxies is a measurement of what the universe is made of, if you’re careful enough to extract it. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/12/pretty-pictures-to-cosmology/
From @dornanv.bsky.social: 700 years of astronomical progress is currently being laid out on the tables of the library of the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. Join Astrobites for a glimpse into the process! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/11/crawford-collection/
An Afternoon in The UK’s Most Extensive Astronomical Library
700 years of astronomical progress is currently being laid out on the tables of the library of the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. Join astrobites for a glimpse into the process!
astrobites.org
September 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM
From @dornanv.bsky.social: 700 years of astronomical progress is currently being laid out on the tables of the library of the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. Join Astrobites for a glimpse into the process! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/11/crawford-collection/
From @neevshah101.bsky.social: In a few billion years, the Sun will rapidly expand in size. What does that mean for the inner planets, including our very own Earth? Read today’s bite to find out! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/10/sun-earth-race/
Catch me if you can: The dying Sun and the fate of the Earth
In a few billion years, the Sun will rapidly expand in size. What does that mean for the inner planets, including our very own Earth? Read today's bite to find out!
astrobites.org
September 14, 2026 at 8:37 AM
From @neevshah101.bsky.social: In a few billion years, the Sun will rapidly expand in size. What does that mean for the inner planets, including our very own Earth? Read today’s bite to find out! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/10/sun-earth-race/
From Akshita Mittal: Let’s explore GW detection from a slightly different candidate today! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/09/wake-up-babe-new-lisa-source/
Wake up babe, new LISA source just dropped
Let's explore GW detection from a slightly different candidate today!
astrobites.org
September 10, 2026 at 11:22 PM
From Akshita Mittal: Let’s explore GW detection from a slightly different candidate today! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/09/wake-up-babe-new-lisa-source/
From Ben Sherwin: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has found a new ultra-faint dwarf galaxy in our galactic backyard just by using preview data, taken before its 10-year survey! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/08/rubin-first-ultrafaint-dwarf/
An Early Discovery by Rubin Observatory!
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has found a new ultra-faint dwarf galaxy in our galactic backyard just by using preview data, taken before its 10-year survey!
astrobites.org
September 10, 2026 at 2:01 AM
From Ben Sherwin: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has found a new ultra-faint dwarf galaxy in our galactic backyard just by using preview data, taken before its 10-year survey! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/08/rubin-first-ultrafaint-dwarf/
From Joe Williams: Phosphorus, key for life on Earth, has never been seen in the planet-forming environment. The authors of today’s paper have sniffed out why and where the Phosphorus is hiding. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/07/phosphorus-in-stars/
The Stinkiest Stars in Space
Phosphorus, key for life on Earth, has never been seen in the planet-forming environment. The authors of today’s paper have sniffed out why and where the Phosphorus is hiding.
astrobites.org
September 8, 2026 at 10:27 PM
From Joe Williams: Phosphorus, key for life on Earth, has never been seen in the planet-forming environment. The authors of today’s paper have sniffed out why and where the Phosphorus is hiding. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/07/phosphorus-in-stars/
From Flavia Pascal: The search for life beyond Earth often focuses on finding the right ingredients. But what if the more revealing clue is what a planet does with them? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/05/steering-wheel-of-life/
Behind the steering wheel of living systems
The search for life beyond Earth often focuses on finding the right ingredients. But what if the more revealing clue is what a planet does with them? Today's bite offers a different perspective: perha...
astrobites.org
September 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
From Flavia Pascal: The search for life beyond Earth often focuses on finding the right ingredients. But what if the more revealing clue is what a planet does with them? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/05/steering-wheel-of-life/
From Madison VanWyngarden: Today’s bite explores the first candidate globular cluster stellar stream outside of our Milky Way! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/04/going-with-the-extragalactic-flow/
Going With the (Extragalactic) Flow
Today's bite explores the first candidate globular cluster stellar stream outside of our Milky Way!
astrobites.org
September 7, 2026 at 10:41 AM
From Madison VanWyngarden: Today’s bite explores the first candidate globular cluster stellar stream outside of our Milky Way! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/04/going-with-the-extragalactic-flow/
From @meverri.bsky.social: No need to feel blue about cosmology—this week’s paper tries a new way to measure a key parameter of ΛCDM. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/03/weak-lens-des-y3/
Shearious Business with the Dark Energy Survey
No need to feel blue about cosmology—this week’s paper tries a new way to measure a key parameter of ΛCDM.
astrobites.org
September 6, 2026 at 11:25 PM
From @meverri.bsky.social: No need to feel blue about cosmology—this week’s paper tries a new way to measure a key parameter of ΛCDM. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/03/weak-lens-des-y3/
From @kelsie137.bsky.social: Many cosmologists look toward the CMB for answers about reionization… but should they? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/02/density-clouds-our-judgement/
Density Clouds Our Judgement: Reionization’s CMB Imprint
Many cosmologists look toward the CMB for answers about reionization… but should they?
astrobites.org
September 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
From @kelsie137.bsky.social: Many cosmologists look toward the CMB for answers about reionization… but should they? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/02/density-clouds-our-judgement/
From Chloe Klare: Radio astronomy is obviously better than any other domain, and read here to see why! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/01/why-radio-astronomy-is-the-best-astronomy/
Opinion: Radio is the superior band in the electromagnetic spectrum
Radio astronomy is obviously better than any other domain, and read here to see why!
astrobites.org
September 3, 2026 at 10:27 PM
From Chloe Klare: Radio astronomy is obviously better than any other domain, and read here to see why! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/01/why-radio-astronomy-is-the-best-astronomy/
From Kasper Zoellner: Exoplanets with helium-rich atmospheres might seem alien and hostile, but laboratory evidence tells a different story. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/31/could-life-survive-on-a-helium-planet/
astrobites.org/2026/08/31/could-life-survive-on-a-helium-planet/
Could Life Survive on a Helium Planet?
Exoplanets with helium-rich atmospheres might seem alien and hostile, but laboratory evidence tells a different story. Join us today as we explore whether life could survive, and maybe even thrive, on...
astrobites.org
September 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
From Kasper Zoellner: Exoplanets with helium-rich atmospheres might seem alien and hostile, but laboratory evidence tells a different story. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/31/could-life-survive-on-a-helium-planet/
astrobites.org/2026/08/31/could-life-survive-on-a-helium-planet/
From Jared Bull: We’re used to imagining dark matter as tiny particles, such as WIMPs or axions, but what if dark matter existed in chunks the size of bowling balls, fridges, or even pyramids? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/29/the-weather-forecast-of-dark-matter-hail-in-the-solar-system/
astrobites.org/2026/08/29/the-weather-forecast-of-dark-matter-hail-in-the-solar-system/
The Weather Forecast of Dark Matter Hail in the Solar System
We’re used to imagining dark matter as tiny particles, such as WIMPs or axions, but what if dark matter existed in chunks the size of bowling balls, fridges, or even pyramids? The author of today's pa...
astrobites.org
September 1, 2026 at 9:02 PM
From Jared Bull: We’re used to imagining dark matter as tiny particles, such as WIMPs or axions, but what if dark matter existed in chunks the size of bowling balls, fridges, or even pyramids? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/29/the-weather-forecast-of-dark-matter-hail-in-the-solar-system/
astrobites.org/2026/08/29/the-weather-forecast-of-dark-matter-hail-in-the-solar-system/
From Serat Saad: What do you get when you cross a spectroscopic survey with a planet hunter? A cardiology ward, and 50 stars whose orbits are ringing them like a bell. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/08/28/total-eclipse-of-the-heart-in-astronomy/
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” in Astronomy
What do you get when you cross a spectroscopic survey with a planet hunter? A cardiology ward, and 50 stars whose orbits are ringing them like a bell.
astrobites.org
September 1, 2026 at 11:38 AM
From Serat Saad: What do you get when you cross a spectroscopic survey with a planet hunter? A cardiology ward, and 50 stars whose orbits are ringing them like a bell. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/08/28/total-eclipse-of-the-heart-in-astronomy/
From @neelkolhe.bsky.social: This study uses hydrodynamical simulations to model galaxies which show observational evidence for gas bars and tries to understated the physical processes which lead to their seemingly unlikely evolution. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/27/irregular-gaseous-bars/
astrobites.org/2026/08/27/irregular-gaseous-bars/
An irregular cocktail served at your local galactic bar.
There have been reports of gaseous bars in dwarf irregular galaxies. Gaseous bars are often assumed to be unstable and hard to form compared to stellar bars.
This study uses hydrodynamical simulation...
astrobites.org
September 1, 2026 at 1:07 AM
From @neelkolhe.bsky.social: This study uses hydrodynamical simulations to model galaxies which show observational evidence for gas bars and tries to understated the physical processes which lead to their seemingly unlikely evolution. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/27/irregular-gaseous-bars/
astrobites.org/2026/08/27/irregular-gaseous-bars/
From Julie Kiel Holm: Wake up babe, new merger just dropped! Several distinct populations of stars and clusters in the Milky Way are remnants of the same accreted galaxy, which our galaxy tore apart almost 12 billion years ago. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/08/24/lkh-merger/
Our galaxy ate another one
Wake up babe, new merger just dropped! Several distinct populations of stars and clusters in the Milky Way are remnants of the same accreted galaxy, which our galaxy tore apart almost 12 billion years...
astrobites.org
August 31, 2026 at 12:34 AM
From Julie Kiel Holm: Wake up babe, new merger just dropped! Several distinct populations of stars and clusters in the Milky Way are remnants of the same accreted galaxy, which our galaxy tore apart almost 12 billion years ago. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/08/24/lkh-merger/
From Flavia Pascal: Sub-Neptunes show flat spectra indicating multiple possibilities for their atmospheric composition. Yet some are losing hydrogen or helium to space. Could this reveal what their featureless spectra are hiding? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/22/sub-neptunes-say-heh/
astrobites.org/2026/08/22/sub-neptunes-say-heh/
Sub-Neptune atmospheres say “HeH!”: what escaping H and He reveal about their composition
Sub-Neptunes are very good at hiding their secrets: many show flat spectra that could indicate multiple possibilities for their atmospheric composition. Yet some of these same worlds are caught in the...
astrobites.org
August 29, 2026 at 2:29 AM
From Flavia Pascal: Sub-Neptunes show flat spectra indicating multiple possibilities for their atmospheric composition. Yet some are losing hydrogen or helium to space. Could this reveal what their featureless spectra are hiding? ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/22/sub-neptunes-say-heh/
astrobites.org/2026/08/22/sub-neptunes-say-heh/
From @anaviuppal.bsky.social: In 2019, CHIME detected a very unusual fast radio burst (FRB) signal that excited the astronomical community. However, it turns out that the signal wasn’t from an FRB after all… ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/21/chime-misclassification/
astrobites.org/2026/08/21/chime-misclassification/
Everything Going Wrong, All at Once: Pulsar Misclassified as a Fast Radio Burst
In 2019, CHIME detected a very unusual fast radio burst (FRB) signal that excited the astronomical community. However, it turns out that the signal wasn’t from an FRB after all…
astrobites.org
August 27, 2026 at 11:41 PM
From @anaviuppal.bsky.social: In 2019, CHIME detected a very unusual fast radio burst (FRB) signal that excited the astronomical community. However, it turns out that the signal wasn’t from an FRB after all… ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/21/chime-misclassification/
astrobites.org/2026/08/21/chime-misclassification/
From Munira Hoosain: Odd Radio Circles are a recently discovered extragalactic phenomenon. This astrobites explores an ORC identified in LOFAR data that exhibits features that make it different from other ORCS ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/20/odd-radio-circle-lofar/
astrobites.org/2026/08/20/odd-radio-circle-lofar/
Not all ORCs are in Middle Earth – Discovery of an Odd Radio Circle in LOFAR data
Odd Radio Circles are a recently discovered extragalactic phenomenon. As their name suggests, the cause of them is still a mystery. This astrobites explores an ORC identified in LOFAR data that exhibi...
astrobites.org
August 26, 2026 at 11:29 PM
From Munira Hoosain: Odd Radio Circles are a recently discovered extragalactic phenomenon. This astrobites explores an ORC identified in LOFAR data that exhibits features that make it different from other ORCS ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/20/odd-radio-circle-lofar/
astrobites.org/2026/08/20/odd-radio-circle-lofar/
From the team: Fall is coming, which means graduate school applications will soon be upon us. In this post, you will find answers for many of your most pressing questions about applying to graduate school in the US, plus some additional resources! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/19/grad_school_faqs/
astrobites.org/2026/08/19/grad_school_faqs/
Astrobites Guide to Graduate School Applications (U.S.)
Fall is coming, which means graduate school applications will soon be upon us. In this post, you will find answers for many of your most pressing questions about applying to graduate school in the US,...
astrobites.org
August 26, 2026 at 4:03 AM
From the team: Fall is coming, which means graduate school applications will soon be upon us. In this post, you will find answers for many of your most pressing questions about applying to graduate school in the US, plus some additional resources! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/19/grad_school_faqs/
astrobites.org/2026/08/19/grad_school_faqs/
From Annika Salmi: A new study finds that Triton, Neptune’s moon, might have a magnetic field. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/18/feeling-the-attraction-the-magnetic-field-of-a-moon-of-neptune/
astrobites.org/2026/08/18/feeling-the-attraction-the-magnetic-field-of-a-moon-of-neptune/
Feeling the Attraction: The Magnetic Field of a Moon of Neptune
A new study finds that Triton, Neptune's moon, might have a magnetic field.
astrobites.org
August 19, 2026 at 10:50 PM
From Annika Salmi: A new study finds that Triton, Neptune’s moon, might have a magnetic field. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/18/feeling-the-attraction-the-magnetic-field-of-a-moon-of-neptune/
astrobites.org/2026/08/18/feeling-the-attraction-the-magnetic-field-of-a-moon-of-neptune/
From Natalie Price: Detecting the undetectable… At least until COSI launches ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/15/cosi-i-process/
astrobites.org/2026/08/15/cosi-i-process/
COSI and the New Age of Gamma Ray Physics
Detecting the undetectable... At least until COSI launches
astrobites.org
August 18, 2026 at 10:26 PM
From Natalie Price: Detecting the undetectable… At least until COSI launches ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/15/cosi-i-process/
astrobites.org/2026/08/15/cosi-i-process/
From Nicki Bond: “An eclipse, a trombone and an oscilloscope walk into a bar” sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but what do they have in common? Read on to find out. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/14/an-eclipse-a-trombone-and-an-oscilloscope/
astrobites.org/2026/08/14/an-eclipse-a-trombone-and-an-oscilloscope/
An eclipse, a trombone and an oscilloscope
“An eclipse, a trombone and an oscilloscope walk into a bar” sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but what do they have in common? Read on to find out.
astrobites.org
August 18, 2026 at 3:18 AM
From Nicki Bond: “An eclipse, a trombone and an oscilloscope walk into a bar” sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but what do they have in common? Read on to find out. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/14/an-eclipse-a-trombone-and-an-oscilloscope/
astrobites.org/2026/08/14/an-eclipse-a-trombone-and-an-oscilloscope/
From @qwasistellar.bsky.social: Telescopes. Science Funding Cuts. The Commercialization of the night sky and what we can do to change it. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/13/the-dying-of-the-light/
astrobites.org/2026/08/13/the-dying-of-the-light/
The Dying of the Light
Telescopes. Science Funding Cuts. The Commercialization of the night sky and what we can do to change it.
astrobites.org
August 16, 2026 at 11:37 PM
From @qwasistellar.bsky.social: Telescopes. Science Funding Cuts. The Commercialization of the night sky and what we can do to change it. ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
astrobites.org/2026/08/13/the-dying-of-the-light/
astrobites.org/2026/08/13/the-dying-of-the-light/