Interstellar Updates

 

These are items of interest to the interstellar exploration community that we’ve found in our quest for information that will help us advance toward our goals.  If you know of anything we’ve overlooked, or any sources of such information we should monitor, or if you would like to be added to our IRG-updates mailing list and receive these updates in you email every weekday, please send that information to info@irg.space.

You can now search our database of interstellar updates and find items of interest to you.

March 27, 2026 updates

Clouds with a silicate lining: Using JWST spectra to probe atmospheric diversity in young AB Dor L dwarfs
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24662

Disentangling auroral, cloud and magnetic spot driven variability in three early L-dwarfs with HST/WFC3
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24663

GJ 523b is a Massive, 170 Myr-old Mega-Earth, Likely on a Polar Orbit
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24682

From dust to planets — II. Effects of wide binary companions and external photoevaporation on planetesimal and embryo formation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24710

Deep radiative zones affect the planetary cooling and internal structure: implications for exoplanet characterisation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24777

Resizing the giants: How modelling adiabatic interiors impacts predicted planetary radii
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24779

SaNDi-SHoP: Searching for Satellites’N’Disks with a Star-Hopping Program I. Analysis of the close surroundings of DI companions
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24796

On the importance of laboratory experiments for interpreting exoplanet observations
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10509-026-04564-6

Flare-driven habitability: Expanding life’s potential around low-mass stars
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24944

A post-perihelion constraint on the CO2/H2O ratio of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from [O I] forbidden lines
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.25002

The Circumbinary Disc of HD 34700A II. Analysis of a strong dust asymmetry
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.25541

Identifying Surface Degeneracies in Single-Visit Reflected Light Observations of Modern Earth using the Habitable Worlds Observatory
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.25694

Cloudy solutions for the clear skies of WASP-80b: 3D cloud feedback on the atmosphere and spectra of a warm Jupiter
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.23406

Isotopic Signature of Organic Molecules from Beyond the Solar System: An Enriched Methane D/H Ratio in the Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.20445

HiDef Neighbors: Solar System objects as exoplanet analogs: I. Gaseous objects
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/03/aa55769-25/aa55769-25.html

Simulated microgravity alters sperm navigation, fertilization and embryo development in mammals
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-09734-4

Direct Spectroscopic Confirmation of the Young Embedded Protoplanet WISPIT 2c
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ae4b3b

THE FIRST CIRCUMBINARY PLANET FOUND BY MICROLENSING: OGLE-2007-BLG-349L(AB)c
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-6256/152/5/125

The PAIRS project: a global formation model for planets in binaries: I. Effect of disc truncation on the growth of S-type planets
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/04/aa57243-25/aa57243-25.html

The PAIRS project: a global formation model for planets in binaries: II. Gravitational perturbation effects from secondary stars
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/04/aa57244-25/aa57244-25.html

From Space Dust to Protocells: Micrometeorites in Early Cellular Evolution
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15311074261434670

Observation Variable Framework for Exoplanet Habitability and Biosignatures
https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/space.0314

Exploring hidden cosmic highways: stability and orbital dynamics of quasi-Lagrangian points in the Kepler-1625 exoplanetary system
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12036-026-10141-8

Exocometary Physics: Material Release and Tails
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-026-01284-9

Hot Rocks Survey. V. Secondary Eclipse Photometry of GJ 3473 b with JWST/MIRI
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ae4c45

A Possible Mechanism to Explain the Prograde Equatorial Jet of a Jupiter-like Gaseous Giant
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ae518c

March 26, 2026 updates

A multi-scale framework with machine learning for hydrogen transport properties in nuclear thermal propulsion
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306454926002094

Perovskite Solar Cells for Space Applications: Progress, Perspectives, and Remaining Challenges
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/19/6/1432

Simulating ultrarelativistic beam-plasma instabilities with a quasistatic particle-in-cell code
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010465526001220

Organosulfur Chemistry on sub-Neptunes: Implications for hazes and biosignatures
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.18923

Benchmarking Astrochemistry Paradigms: Relative Absence of C6H5CN+ in the Diffuse ISM
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23739

Toward a systems view of life’s origins: Modeling the emergence of complexity across chemical, informational and ecological levels
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245231002600017X

Detection of nucleotides with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis: Characterization, comparison and application to future experiments onboard space probes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039914026003401

Toward extraterrestrial librarianship: Designing knowledge systems for human settlements in space
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246889672600039X

Short-Term Turbulence Prediction for Seeing Using Machine Learning
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24466

Gas dynamics around dust asymmetries in turbulent disks
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24184

Exoplanet Search and Characterization with the Proposed POET Canadian Space Mission
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.24485

A Physical Classification of Exoplanet Thermal Environments: Stellar Irradiation versus Tidal Heating
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23557

 

March 25, 2026 Updates

Ecological modelling of hycean worlds
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.22491

Insights into the Exoplanet Radius Valley from Host-Star Ages, Activity, Chemistry, and Birth Radius
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.21581

Atmospheric Collapse and Habitability on Tidally Locked Exoplanets
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae47f2

Feasibility constraints and detectability of habitable class B stellar engines at maximum performance
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1402-4896/ae4a5c

Automatic search for transiting planets in TESS-SPOC FFIs with RAVEN: over 100 newly validated planets and over 2000 vetted candidates
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.22597

First Detection of the Glycine Isomer Glycolamide in Hot Molecular Core
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23170

Turning the knobs on dust evolution: Comparing codes, parameters and their effects on planet formation and disc observables
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.22550

Planet-Planet Scattering Explains the Mass-Eccentricity Relation of Warm Jupiters
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.22426

Unified Formation Channel of Hot and Warm Jupiters via Planet-Planet Scattering
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.22409

Formation of spirals in early stage protoplanetary discs
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23317

Perihelion observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS with the IRAM 30-m telescope
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23240

 

March 24, 2026 updates

Exploring hidden cosmic highways: stability and orbital dynamics of quasi-Lagrangian points in the Kepler-1625 exoplanetary system
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12036-026-10141-8

Exoplanets – The Search for Earth’s Twin
https://link.springer.com/book/9783032226839

On the importance of laboratory experiments for interpreting exoplanet observations
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10509-026-04564-6

Consciousness Bandwidth and Frequency Orthogonality: An Energy-flux resolution to the Fermi Paradox

Consciousness Bandwidth and Frequency Orthogonality: An Energy-flux resolution to the Fermi Paradox

Kinematic and Spectroscopic Constraints on the Origin of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS: An Ablative Propulsion Model

Kinematic and Spectroscopic Constraints on the Origin of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS: An Ablative Propulsion Model

Laser-ZPE Interstellar Propulsion Revisited

Laser-ZPE Interstellar Propulsion Revisited

Mapping the Galactic Biosphere: A Fokker-Planck Approach to the Stochastic Distribution of Life

Mapping the Galactic Biosphere: A Fokker-Planck Approach to the Stochastic Distribution of Life

Optimal Energy and Resource Distribution in Kardashev Type III Civilizations

Optimal Energy and Resource Distribution in Kardashev Type III Civilizations

Toward a Physics of the Ceiling: Structural Limits on the Evolution of Advanced Civilizations and the Emergence of Compact Final Forms

Toward a Physics of the Ceiling: Structural Limits on the Evolution of Advanced Civilizations and the Emergence of Compact Final Forms

An Earth-sized planet on a 5.4 h orbit around a nearby K dwarf
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/03/aa56365-25/aa56365-25.html

Diversities and similarities exhibited by multi-planetary systems and their architectures: II. Radii of singles and multis
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/03/aa57468-25/aa57468-25.html

Cloudy solutions for the clear skies of WASP-80b: 3D cloud feedback on the atmosphere and spectra of a warm Jupiter
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2026/03/aa57411-25/aa57411-25.html

Quantifying the C/O Ratio in the Planet-forming Environments around Very Low-mass Stars
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae43eb

Feasibility constraints and detectability of habitable class B stellar engines at maximum performance
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1402-4896/ae4a5c

TESS Hunt for Young and Maturing Exoplanets (THYME). XIV. A Comoving-based Age Constraint for KELT-20
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ae4c48

Revisiting the Orbital Dynamics of the Hot Jupiter WASP-12 b with New Transit Times
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ae4c86

Direct Spectroscopic Confirmation of the Young Embedded Protoplanet WISPIT 2c
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ae4b3b

A Minimal Four-Thruster System for Comet-Based Interstellar Navigation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.16981

Isotopic Signature of Organic Molecules from Beyond the Solar System: An Enriched Methane D/H Ratio in the Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.20445

Recent Progress in the Characterization of the Atmosphere of Exoplanets: Observations, Models
https://acopen.umsida.ac.id/index.php/acopen/article/view/13828

The Exploration of Exoplanets Based on The Transit Method
https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/ajst/article/view/33322

GSF-22 -Resonant Chains on the Scale Manifold: From Kepler Projection to Corridor Capture in Exoplanet Systems
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/402124699_GSF-22_-Resonant_Chains_on_the_Scale_Manifold_From_Kepler_Projection_to_Corridor_Capture_in_Exoplanet_Systems

NASA’s Pandora SmallSat Mission: Simulated Modeling and Retrieval of Near-Infrared Exoplanet Transmission Spectra
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.04488

Framing the Possibility Space for Technosignature Searches
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.17741

Radiating Bondi Flows II: Giant Planet Accretion Models
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.20377

High-resolution spectroscopic atmospheric studies of 5 hot Jupiters across the edge of the Neptune desert
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.21273

Insights into the Exoplanet Radius Valley from Host-Star Ages, Activity, Chemistry, and Birth Radius
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.21581

Planetary Architectures of Kepler Compact Multis with Binary Star Companions
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.21897

Proton Irradiation of Primitive Atmospheres of Young Exoplanets and biearly Earth: Greenhouse Warming and Prebiotic Synthesis
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.18206

March 23, 2026 updates

Test of a 34 GHz EOM laser frequency comb at ESPRESSO
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stag426/8529013

ExoIris: Fast Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy in Python
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ae47ee

A Robust Launching Mechanism for Free- floating Planets from Host Stars with Close-in Planets
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae36a4

Probing the limits of habitability: a catalogue of rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/547/3/stag028/8526432

A Planetary Illusion’s Funeral: Non-detection of a Gaia DR3 Exoplanet Candidate, and the Role of Intermediate-precision Radial Velocities in Gaia Exoplanet Follow-up
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.19402

Three outstanding physical questions for K2-18 b and other temperate sub-Neptunes
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.19803

Observations of Exocomets
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.19978

High-resolution mid-IR spectroscopy of SVS 13-A with EXES/SOFIA: The surprisingly high CH3OH/H2O ratio in the planet-forming zone of a solar mass protostar
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.19992

Retrieving the Red Edge on Earth-like Planets with Heterogeneous Clouds and Surfaces
https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.20033