Nature Astronomy

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 04 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02860-3 The JWST thermal emission spectrum of the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b points to a dark, basalt-like surface shaped by space weathering. The data provide tight limits on CO2 and SO2, ruling out a substantial atmosphere and recent widespread volcanism.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 04 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02846-1 A stellar occultation campaign reveals a thin atmosphere around the plutino 2002 XV93, showing that even a modest-sized trans-Neptunian object can host an atmosphere, perhaps through cryovolcanism or a recent impact.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 04 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02855-0 JWST has produced some of the first spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of massive quiescent galaxies less than 2 Gyr after the Big Bang, revealing a kinematically unique galaxy that shows little-to-no rotational support.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 04 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02854-1 Laboratory astrochemistry demonstrates that SiC2 is the key molecular precursor in the formation of silicon carbide grains in evolved stars and that hydrogen is an essential ingredient in the process.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02829-2 For a black hole X-ray binary system, the deflection of its radio jets by the stellar wind has been measured across an entire orbit. By balancing the momentum flux of the jets and the wind, the instantaneous kinetic power of the jet is determined and its value vindicates standard assumptions from cosmological simula…

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02845-2 JWST observations of both the dayside and nightside of a hot exoplanet show that horizontal winds transport chemical species faster than the time they need to react chemically, which drives the nightside atmosphere out of chemical equilibrium.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 24 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02805-w Thermal phase curves of the two innermost planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system show strong dayside emission and faint nightside emission — ruling out thick atmospheres on both planets. TRAPPIST-1 b seems to be airless. But TRAPPIST-1 c might host a tenuous atmosphere, or be a bare rock with different surface properties …

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 23 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02850-5 ALMA observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS provide a limit on the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio in water. This ratio is a sensitive probe of temperature, suggesting that comet 3I formed in an ultracold environment with minimal thermal processing in its home system.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02851-4 The Uranus system’s struggle for survival

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02831-8 A simulation from sub-photosphere to the corona shows how our Sun forms prominences in a dipped magnetic arcade: through synergy between sporadic injection of chromospheric matter and a siphoned mass supply from thermal instability.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02858-x The increasing reliance on large language models (LLMs) in astronomy has prompted widespread discussions as to how they can be used appropriately. A coherent, community-wide framework is needed.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02852-3 γ marks the spot

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02853-2 A spear through the outflows

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02832-7 Challenges to detecting present-day volcanism on Venus

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02833-6 Reply to: Challenges to detecting present-day volcanism on Venus

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 22 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02849-y Super-size simulations for super-size surveys

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 16 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02828-3 An 18-year high-resolution radio image dataset of Cygnus X-1 has revealed that its radio jets are bent by the stellar wind. Modelling of jet–wind interactions strongly supports the standard assumptions of an accreting black hole in cosmological simulations.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 15 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02818-5 Metal-poor stars are thought to be relics of the early Universe. Measurements of SDSS J0715-7334 show that this star has a metallicity 0.005% of that of the Sun and originated from the Large Magellanic Cloud. These findings provide evidence that dust cooling enabled the first low-mass stars to form.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02835-4 Reply to: No indication of a strong increase in galactic cosmic ray intensity 2–3 Myr ago from cosmogenic nuclides

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02834-5 No indication of a strong increase in galactic cosmic ray intensity 2–3 Myr ago from cosmogenic nuclides