Néstor Espinoza et al 2016 ApJ 830 43
K2-56b, an exoplanet recently discovered with the K2 mission, orbits a solar analog and has 2.23 times Earth’s radius — but a surprising 16.3 times Earth’s mass, raising questions about its composition.
M. J. Freeman and Joel H. Kastner 2016 ApJS 226 15
The most complete 3D model of a planetary nebula (PN) to date — from the standpoint of the incorporation of multi-wavelength data — is presented of BD+30°3639, a PN in the solar neighborhood.
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.