Shaobo Zhang et al 2020 ApJS 248 15

A supervised machine-learning algorithm is used to identify outflow features in a survey of molecular outflows across a dark cloud complex, finding 130 outflow candidates inside dense molecular clouds.

Yumi Bamba et al 2020 ApJ 894 29

Analysis of multiple observational datasets for the largest X9.3 solar flare in solar cycle 24 shows that it may have been triggered by the intrusion of a major negative-polarity region into an opposite-polarity region.

Michael Mommert et al 2020 Planet. Sci. J. 1 10

A 4-year observational campaign exploring 75 dynamically selected dormant comet candidates and six near-Sun asteroids found only dormant comet 3552 Don Quixote to show activity during the program.

Seppo Laine et al 2020 ApJL 894 L1

Spitzer detected a predicted flare from blazar OJ 287 — in which a secondary black hole orbits a primary, plunging through its accretion disk and producing flares — thus confirming theoretical calculations of the binary’s orbits.

Jacob K. Luhn et al 2020 AJ 159 235

A study of 600 stars shows that stars evolve through different stages of radial velocity “jitter” that can drown or mimic planetary signals: in younger stars the jitter is driven by magnetic activity, and in older stars, by convection.

Zhao-Zhou Li et al 2020 ApJ 894 10

By comparing theoretical simulations of Milky Way satellite distribution to 28 observed satellites, the Milky Way’s halo mass is estimated to greater precision and reliability than previously.