Astrophysicists are increasingly clearly distinguishing two main scenarios for the formation of hot Jupiters. New research uses tidal orbital circularization time and system age to single out planets that arrived at tight orbits via peaceful migration through the disk, rather than violent gravitational perturbations.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will soon begin a wide-field survey of the galactic plane, mapping billions of stars in the infrared range and revealing hidden regions, stellar nurseries, compact remnants, and variable stars in the Milky Way, creating a new reference map of our galaxy.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from the European spaceport in French Guiana, the Ariane 6 rocket launches two new Galileo satellites, SAT 33 and SAT 34. The mission increases the precision, robustness, and security of positioning services and confirms the strategic importance of European autonomy in space technology and infrastructure.
The Pariacaca mountain range in the central Andes is crucial for the water supply of Lima and the Junín region. Sentinel-2 satellite images reveal the retreat of tropical glaciers, the growth of glacial lakes and flood risks, but also the importance of protecting the Nor Yauyos-Cochas reserve and the lives of local communities dependent on a stable mountain ecosystem.
NASA completed the assembly of all main elements of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at the Goddard center in November 2025, a new infrared observatory that will study dark energy, dark matter, and discover thousands of new exoplanets in the Milky Way from the L2 point, alongside massive sky surveys and open scientific data.
A new Rover Operations Center has opened at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a hub for planning and managing robotic missions on the Moon and Mars. The ROC connects decades of experience with Martian rovers with advanced artificial intelligence and industry collaboration. The goal is to accelerate the development of future rovers, helicopters, and drones for exploring the surfaces of other worlds.