Nature Astronomy

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02947-x JWST observations reveal that distant massive galaxies contain far more small stars than expected, increasing their masses by a factor of up to four compared with initial measurements. This finding suggests that early massive galaxies might be heavier than previously found, challenging galaxy formation models.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02955-x Modelling shows that large collisions with the icy moons of the giant planets do not affect drastically the occurrence of subsurface oceans inside reassembled icy moons throughout their history. They solely affect ocean thickness or longevity.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 19 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02964-w Leading AI models can reach gold-medal performance on advanced astronomy and astrophysics exams, but still struggle with spatial reasoning, visual data analysis and conceptual errors.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02932-4 JWST spectra show that distant massive galaxies contain far more low-mass stars than expected, quadrupling the overall galaxy mass and challenging galaxy formation models.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02956-w Simulations show that the large depression at the south pole of the Martian moon Deimos formed in an oblique impact that also smoothed its surface, revealing a very weak surface over a porous, fractured, rubble-pile-like interior.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 17 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02931-5 By studying the dynamical properties, age and metallicity of globular clusters in the inner Galaxy, the authors found evidence of a massive dwarf galaxy that was accreted by the Milky Way 1.8 billion years earlier than the Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus merger.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02961-z A hidden companion on Orion’s shoulder

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02974-8 Author Correction: Detection of a four-carbon sugar in interstellar space

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02949-9 The first all-African space exploration mission, Africa2Moon, is to be launched to the lunar south pole with Chang’e-8, scheduled for 2029.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02960-0 No kinematics, no problem

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02963-x While conferences offer researchers excellent opportunities to present their latest results and network with others, they offer editors the chance to consolidate their knowledge and follow important developments within a field.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02942-2 Astro-tourism offers opportunities to SKA locals

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02946-y The cost-effective CosmoCube mission is proposed to observe the 21-cm line emitted by neutral hydrogen from the relatively uncontaminated radio environment of the far side of the Moon.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02944-0 Astro-tourism programmes have emerged across the world as a form of scientific engagement. The Carnarvon Astro Guides initiative in the Karoo, South Africa, is one of them, aiming to connect the large-scale astronomical infrastructure (including the SKA) to local socio-economic development.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 13 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02950-2 In Jupiter’s polar region, $${{\rm{H}}}_{3}^{+}$$ H 3 + has a key role in atmospheric heating and ionospheric conductance. Juno measurements show in situ detection of $${{\rm{H}}}_{3}^{+}$$ H 3 + and provide direct evidence of its escape, revealing a pathway for energy transfer between the magnetosphere and the ion…

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 13 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02941-3 Accretion and relativistic jet formation in black holes occur across a wide range of their masses, revealing qualitative and quantitative similarities that connect the entire population of black holes. In March 2026, researchers from all areas across the black hole mass spectrum met in Oxford to educate, explore an…

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02943-1 Some apparent single stars hide a dramatic history of past interaction with their companions. The authors show how chemical fingerprints left on a star’s surface can unmask these binary interaction products and unravel their past evolution.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 07 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02938-y Using more than 30,000 molecular clouds, this study reveals widespread wave-like corrugations superimposed on the warp of the Milky Way’s outer molecular disk, offering insight into its three-dimensional structure and dynamics.

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02948-w Combining galaxy kinematics with a reconstruction of the primordial density field has enabled the detection of a substantial imprint of primordial tidal torques in present-day galaxy spins. This strengthens evidence that the angular momentum of galaxies originates from large-scale tidal forces on their proto-halos …

Nature Astronomy, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02917-3 China’s Zhurong rover has discovered long-sought primary evaporites in ~0.76-Ga-old rocks during its traverse in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars. Trapped fluids within them could preserve crucial clues to the planet’s past environment and habitability.