The launch of the SPHEREx spectrometry mission and PUNCH heliospheric mission, on a single rocket, was successful. All four PUNCHes and SPHEREx deployed from the second stage. SPHEREx, for one, has successfully communicated with the ground; the PUNCH team has… Read More »SPHEREx, PUNCH Up
The LPSC: it’s a bit of a big deal. Arguably, this is the biggest single conference in the whole calendar, if you’re a planetary scientist (the PS in LPSC). I didn’t make it to Houston this year, so here’s my… Read More »56th LPSC (2025): Mon, Day 1
In the Astronomical Journal for March Volume 169 Number 3: Li, J. Shi, J. Ma, Y. et al. Hydrogen Cyanide in Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from 3.4 mm Wave Spectra article 126 ada7e7Wu, L. Zhang, Q. Lainey, V. et al. A… Read More »Note, Paper: Astronomi-kill Journal
Before we get to LPSC, there’s a German conference coming up soon: (deep breath) Towards New Frontiers: The Astrochemical Journey from Young Stellar Nurseries to Exoplanets, in Garching, next week. Yes, this is relevant as comets, (most) asteroids, and transition… Read More »Astrochemical New Frontiers Conference
Missed Meteoritics & Planetary Science for February (vol. 60 #2): Jenkins, L. E. Lee, M. R. Daly, L et al. Petrofabrics in the CM chondrite Kolang: Evidence for non-spherical chondrules in the protoplanetary disk p. 190 .14297 Dionnet, Z. Djouadi,… Read More »Note, Paper: Meteo-squishics
Lots in Icarus for 15 Mar (vol. 429), and this is in a mid-month “extra” issue: Lin, S. Wang, X. Chen, N. Direct solar radiation distribution and driving mechanisms on planetary surfaces – Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Mercury Article 116402 … Read More »Note, Paper: Big-arus
Just out from Space Science Reviews: Lodders, K. Bergemann, M. Palme, H. Solar System Elemental Abundances from the Solar Photosphere and CI-Chondrites art. 23 s11214-025-01146-w What’s the Solar System made of? Sounds like a simple question to ask, but a… Read More »Note, Paper: Material-ites
One in-scope paper in Planetary and Space Science, vol. 256 (Feb), and none in March: De Keyser, J. Edberg, N. J. T. Henri, P. H. et al. Optimal choice of closest approach distance for a comet flyby: Application to the… Read More »Note, Paper: Plan Sp Plans
February’s “issue” (all-digital) of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (vol. 536) is done, and it’s ‘volatile-rich’: Volume 536, Issue 4, February 2025– Volume 537, Issue 1, February 2025Longobardo, A. Angrisani, M. Palomba, E. Photometry of (162173) Ryugu and… Read More »Note, Paper: Royal Astro-volatile Society
It’s a bit much to lump in New Scientist with the lay press, but it’s certainly no peer-reviewed journal. I call MIT Technology Review the same. In the 8 Feb 2025 issue (vol. 265, No. 3529): Drake, Nadia Destination Phobos… Read More »New Scientist ‘SSSB’ News