B. Brugger et al 2016 ApJL 831 L16
Proxima Centauri b is modeled as a solid planet without a massive atmosphere. Possible radii span the 0.94–1.40 Earth-radii range, where the maximum corresponds to an ocean planet of 50% water by mass.
Elizabeth Bailey et al 2016 AJ 152 126
The 6° misalignment between the Sun’s axis and the rotation axis of our solar system can be naturally explained by interactions between the hypothesized Planet Nine and the remaining giant planets.
Kari A. Frank et al 2016 ApJ 829 40
Updated Chandra imaging covering the last 16 years indicate that supernova 1987A’s blast wave is now leaving the dense equatorial region, marking a change in evolutionary phase of the remnant.
Philip J. Armitage et al 2016 ApJL 828 L2
Prompt planetesimal formation is shown to be possible early on beyond the snow line via known physical processes. This leads to a broad and massive belt of planetesimals well outside the snow line.
Bryan A. Terrazas et al 2016 ApJ 830 L12
Observations of 91 central galaxies show that quiescent galaxies host more massive black holes than star-forming galaxies, supporting the theory that AGN feedback may suppress star formation.
Stephen R. Kane et al 2016 ApJ 830 1
A list of habitable-zone (HZ) exoplanet candidates from Kepler Q1–Q17 data includes 104 candidates within the optimistic HZ and 20 candidates with radii of <2 Earth radii within the conservative HZ.