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Images of Giant Exoplanet Candidates in Alpha Centauri’s Habitable Zone

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The planetary candidate, Alpha Centauri AB, may be a gas giant orbiting at a distance of one to two times that of the Earth from the Sun, as indicated in two research papers. Astrophysics Journal Letter. If verified, this planet would be the closest known to Earth within the habitable zone of a Sun-like star. Nonetheless, since it is a gas giant, astronomers do not believe it could support life as we understand it.

Artist’s rendering of the gas giant Alpha Centauri A. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/Robert L. Hurt, Caltech & IPAC.

Alpha Centauri resides in the Centaurus constellation and represents the nearest star system to Earth.

Also referred to as Rigil Centaurus, Rigil Kent, and Griese 559, this system includes a bright binary star pair, Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B, alongside a fainter red star known as Alpha Centauri C.

The two prominent stars are approximately 4.35 light-years away, while Alpha Centauri C, commonly called Proxima Centauri, is slightly nearer at about 4.23 light-years.

In comparison to the Sun, Alpha Centauri A is a G2-type star similar in nature, but slightly larger (1.1 times the size of the Sun and around 1.5 times its luminosity).

Alpha Centauri B, classified as a K1-type star, is slightly smaller and less luminous (approximately 0.9 times the mass of the Sun, with about 45% of its visual brightness).

These two stars orbit around a common center of gravity approximately every 80 years, maintaining a minimum distance of about 11 times that of the Earth-Sun distance.

Astronomers study these stars closely along with our nearest interstellar neighbor, Proxima Centauri, making them prime targets in the search for potentially habitable planets.

“This proximity offers the best chance to gather data on planetary systems beyond our own,” stated Dr. Charles Beichman from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Exoplanet Science Institute at IPAC Astronomy Center in California.

“However, the brightness and swift motion of these stars present significant challenges in observation, even for the world’s most advanced space telescopes.”

The Alpha Centauri star system captured by different terrestrial and space-based observatories: DSS, Hubble Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope. While the DSS shows the triple system as one light source, Hubble distinguishes between Alpha Centauri A and B. Webb’s Milimask image mitigates glare from Alpha Centauri A via a coronagraphic mask. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/ANIKET SANGHI, CALTECH/CHAS BEICHMAN, NEXSCI, NASA & JPL-CALTECH/DIMITRI MAWET, CALTECH/JOSEPH DEPASQUALE, STSCI.

The first observations of this system occurred in August 2024, employing a Coronagraphic Mask with Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reduce the brightness of Alpha Centauri A.

The presence of nearby companion star Alpha Centauri B added complexity to the analysis, but astronomers successfully subtracted the light from both stars, uncovering objects that were more than 10,000 times dimmer than Alpha Centauri A.

On the other hand, an initial detection was promising, but further data was required for a definitive conclusion.

However, subsequent observations in February and April of 2025 did not unveil any objects akin to those detected in August 2024.

“We are facing a case of disappearing planets,” remarked Dr. Aniket Sangi from Caltech.

“To unravel this mystery, we employed computer models simulating millions of potential orbits, taking into account the insights gained from observing planets and their absence.”

In the simulations, the team incorporated the 2019 sightings of potential exoplanet candidates reported by the ESO’s Very Large Telescope, alongside new data from Webb, considering the gravitational stability of orbits influenced by Alpha Centauri B.

“The non-detections in the second and third rounds with Webb were not unexpected,” stated Sangi.

“In many simulated orbits, the planet was positioned too close to the star, rendering it invisible to Webb during both February and April 2025.”

“Based on mid-infrared observations of planetary brightness and orbital simulations, this gas giant could have a mass similar to Saturn, orbiting Alpha Centauri A at a distance one to two times greater than that between the Sun and Earth.”

“If confirmed, the potential planets identified in Webb’s Alpha Centauri images will represent a significant milestone in exoplanet imaging efforts,” Sangi added.

“Of all directly imaged planets, this would be the closest star we have ever observed.”

“Moreover, it would be the nearest to our home, with gas giants in our solar system that are similar in temperature and age to Earth.”

“The mere existence of two closely separated star systems poses intriguing challenges to our understanding of planetary formation, survival, and evolution within chaotic environments.”

If substantiated by further observations, these findings could reshape the field of exoplanet science.

“This will become a pivotal object in exoplanet research, offering multiple opportunities for detailed characterization by Webb and other observatories,” Dr. Beichman concluded.

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Charles Beichman et al. 2025. The Neighbor World: Imaging a giant planet candidate, orbital and physical properties of CEN A, and habitable zones at the exozodiacal upper limit. ApJL in press; Arxiv: 2508.03814

Aniket Sangi et al. 2025. The Neighbor World: Imaging a giant planet candidate in the habitable zone of Cen A. II. Binary Star Modeling, Planetary and Exozodiacal Search, and Sensitivity Analysis. ApJL in press; Arxiv: 2508.03812

Source: www.sci.news

Alpha Males: An Exception to the Norm, According to Groundbreaking New Research

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Forget everything you thought you knew about alpha males: Major new research suggests that clear male dominance in primate societies is not a universal truth, indicating that in many species, females either hold equal power or may even surpass males.

Over five years, researchers gathered data from 253 primate populations across 121 species to investigate gender power dynamics. Rather than relying on generalizations, they meticulously documented behavioral patterns.

“We aimed to observe individual-level interactions, identifying specific conflicts rather than relying on overarching categories like ‘men dominate here’,” stated study co-author Dr. Dieter Lukas in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “We then assessed how frequently men and women actually come out on top.”

The findings challenge deeply-held stereotypes.

Out of the populations studied, male dominance was noted in only 25 of the 151 observed groups, where they triumphed in over 90% of contests against females. Female dominance was observed in 16 groups, while the remaining 70% displayed moderate or variable gender dynamics.

“Strict male dominance was a surprisingly rare occurrence,” said Dr. Ellis Fuchard, the author of a related study, to BBC Science Focus. “We were aware of existing literature and did not anticipate it to be the majority, but discovering it was under 20% was more surprising than expected.”

The frequency of sexual conflict—clashes between males and females—was also found to be considerably higher than previously thought, comprising nearly half of all adult disputes.

Lucas pointed out that most studies tend to focus exclusively on either males or females, with few examining the interactions between the two. “However, here,” he remarked, “the conflict between genders is clearly highlighted, showcasing frequent confrontations.”

A group of chakma baboons during a grooming session. To the left, a large male is groomed by a smaller female along with a juvenile. In this species, males tend to dominate over females. – élise Huchard

This research also challenges the notion that power dynamics are solely dictated by physical prowess. In numerous primate societies, female dominance arises not from strength, but from control over reproduction.

“If a female chooses not to mate, a male is powerless to intervene,” Huchard explained. “If females manage breeding, it can serve as a leverage point in their interactions with males.”

While researchers are cautious about extrapolating their results to human behavior, they suggest the findings illuminate the remarkable flexibility of gender roles among our evolutionary relatives.

“We have two close relatives, the chimpanzee and the bonobo. One exhibits male dominance while the other operates predominantly under female leadership,” Huchard noted. “Thus, even prior to our research, we understood that these dynamics are not deterministic.”

The findings indicate that the social hierarchy within primate societies—and possibly humans—is adaptable, shaped by environmental conditions, group composition, mating strategies, and individual relationships. In essence, no single model dictates who holds power.

Read more:

About our experts

Dieter Lukas is an evolutionary biologist specializing in the social systems of both past and present populations, approached from a comparative perspective at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. His recent studies challenge fundamental assumptions in human behavioral ecology, revealing that variations in human behavior are likely influenced by similar factors that guide the behaviors of other mammals and birds.

élise Huchard is a researcher at the University of Montpellier in France. Her primary focus is on mammalian social behavior, conducted through comparative analysis, as well as long-term investigations in natural populations. She also serves as the editor-in-chief of the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

From Chimpanzee Banananini to Ballerina Cappuccina: How Gen Alpha Went Wild for Italian Brainwashed Animals

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WOne of Tim’s eighth graders inquired about his “favorite Italian brain rot animal,” leading to some confusion. “My hearing isn’t the best, so I probably had to ask her to repeat it four or five times,” he reflects.

Tim (not his actual name) was aware of the phrase “brain corruption.” According to Oxford University Press’s Words of the Year for 2024, but he was puzzled by the Italian reference.

After instructing the students to continue their work, he opened his laptop and turned to Google.


He learned that “Italian Brain Corruption” involves a series of absurd, AI-generated animal characters with ridiculous Italian names (like Bombomini Gusini and Trippi Troppi), often showcased in TikTok videos with rapid, nonsensical Italian narration.

Essentially, it’s a meme popular among the emerging Generation Alpha (born 2010-2025) and the younger Gen Z (mostly born 1997-2012). For older individuals—whether they are heavily engaged online or consider themselves meme enthusiasts—it might seem perplexing, as Tim discovered while browsing.

As he shared his findings, he appeared horrified. “This one is Chimpanzee Banana: it’s a hybrid of a chimpanzee and a banana. Bombardiro Crocodilo is a crocodile that resembles a bomber plane. There are also characters that are just cappuccinos with legs…”

Ballerina Cappuccina. Photo: tiktok/@aironic.fun

That’s right, Ballerina Cappuccina: female ballet dancers are fused with coffee cups and often depicted in a relationship with Cappuccino Assassin (you can understand that).

“There’s a backstory to all these characters—lore,” Tim adds, pondering. “Some are even at war with each other, and there are songs about them.”

The kids in his class are intensely fascinated by it, unlike any trend Tim has seen before. “Once one person mentions it, the whole class starts buzzing. They’re obsessed with this Italian brain corruption.”

If you’re reading this and finding your own mind bewildered, it’s understandable. If you were born in a year that starts with a “1,” “Italian brain corruption” might not resonate with you.

However, its widespread popularity among the younger crowd is worth trying to understand, at least as a reflection of the evolution of online culture.

Tralala Rotralala. Photo: Tiktok

The first character to gain traction was Shark Sport Nike sneakers (three per fin); Torara Rotorarara. Shortly after, the voice of a male character first appeared, marking the start of Italian expressions on TikTok in early January.

New characters quickly proliferated on TikTok. Don Caldwell, Editor-in-Chief of Know Your Meme, identified Brr Brr Patapim as an example, describing it as a “material monkey that is also a tree.”

Tung Tung Tung Sahur. Photo: Tiktok/@noxaasht

Notably, there’s also brain rot in Indonesia. Tung Tung Tung Sahur (“This features a stick figure on a bat, telling people to wake up for food during Ramadan”) and Boneca Ambalabu (“A frog with a tire and human legs”) are examples.

Both are accompanied by AI-generated voices that, much like their Italian counterparts, aim to confuse rather than clarify.

“Audio is just as crucial, if not more so than visuals,” Caldwell explains. “They really amp it up, like Tra-la-.lero! tra-la-laLA!—that quintessential Italian sound.”

Is this offensive to Italians? “It seems like Italians are in on the joke,” Caldwell suggests. “I don’t think it is.”

The attraction of Italian (and Indonesian) brain corruption isn’t about being derogatory or harmful—it’s simply absurd.

Caldwell, who has been engaged with memes for 15 years, admits he doesn’t track every fleeting online trend. “But I genuinely enjoy this,” he remarks. “In my view, it’s the better side of memes.”

Bombardiro Crocodilo. Photo: Tiktok/@armenjiharhanyan

The simplicity and speed of creating these videos using tools like ChatGPT have contributed to the meme’s popularity. Users can prompt their AI to visualize something like Bombardiro Crocodilo in their preferred settings. “No prior video editing skills are necessary, nor do you have to use your own voice,” Caldwell notes.

For adults apprehensive of AI advancements, the Italian brain corruption can feel like a harmless indulgence. “It’s a non-threatening application of AI that doesn’t induce existential dread.”

Naturally, young people don’t view it in such a serious light. They spend more time online from an earlier age, significantly influencing digital culture. “You’ve got a super online kid today,” Caldwell remarks. “They grew up around iPads and TikTok, creating content and dictating the biggest cultural trends of the moment.”

Before Italian brain rot, there was the Skibidi Toilet meme, which spread virally from YouTube in 2023, captivating the younger generation of Gen Z, with millions of views.

Tim recalls discussing it in class: “The kids adore it. The term ‘Skibidi’ is now embedded in Gen Z and Gen Alpha vernacular.”

However, its meaning isn’t straightforward and is steeped in ironic ambiguity. “It can signify something good, something bad, or something bizarre… When they refer to it as ‘Skibidi,’ it’s a positive thing, and they’re laughing at it simultaneously.”

Both Skibidi Toilets and Italian brain corruption resist clear definitions, stimulating youthful imaginations with surreal imagery and crude humor while leaving adults scratching their heads with their more subdued humor.

Ebies.

“AI Art” isn’t just a shortcut for older users primarily active on Facebook, Caldwell states. Ebies example (please check). It increasingly cultivates its own lexicon, customs, and meanings that often elude many adults.

It’s intriguing to hear people declare that past memes were superior. Examine the originality of templates such as distracted boyfriends and layered visual jokes demonstrating endless possibilities for meaning-making. However, Caldwell—a millennial himself—suggests that Italian brain corruption represents another evolution in human creativity. “AI produces images, and text-to-speech gives voice, but the humor originates from the real person behind the screen.”

Tim is skeptical, noting that when he sets creative writing tasks for his class, many leap straight into their favorite Italian brain-rotting creatures. “I worry that the AI generation lacks moments for spontaneous imagination, as AI does so much for them. I tell them, ‘This must be entirely our creation. I don’t want chimpanzees bananini.'”

Nevertheless, he has started incorporating the students’ enthusiasm for Italian brain corruption into his lesson plans. In a multiple-choice quiz, one of the options is Tung Tung Tung Sahur.

He now confidently addresses his eighth graders. “My favorite is Blueberrinni Octopussini,” he shares. “It’s an octopus blended with blueberries.”

Do you have any thoughts on the topics discussed in this article? If you’d like to submit a response of up to 300 words for potential publication in our Letters section, please click here.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Firefly’s Alpha Rocket Successfully Reaches Orbit for the Fourth Consecutive Time

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firefly aerospace launched its Alpha rocket into orbit this morning, carrying a payload from Lockheed Martin into space. However, the company has not yet announced whether it was able to successfully deploy the satellite into its intended orbit, which could indicate a problem with the rocket’s second stage.

Today’s launch marks the fourth ever flight of Firefly’s Alpha rocket. The vehicle took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:32 a.m. local time. The mission, dubbed “Fly the Lightning,” was a commercial launch for customer Lockheed Martin. The rocket carried a Lockheed demonstrator payload called the Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Technology Demonstrator to low Earth orbit.

Around 9:40 a.m. local time, Firefly tweeted Alpha’s second stage engine will be re-ignited and it will complete the orbit in about 40 minutes. From there, the Lockheed Martin payload was supposed to be deployed. However, the company still hasn’t provided an update after four hours.

ESA is a type of electronically steered antenna array. Lockheed says its unique design allows new ESA sensors to be calibrated in a fraction of the time compared to traditional orbital sensors, which can take months to power up and become operational. The payload of the company’s ESA demonstrator was integrated into a satellite bus built by Terran Orbital (Lockheed owns nearly 7% of Terran’s outstanding stock).

While the primary objective of the mission is to deploy the payload, Firefly says the mission team also tracks the total effort time from receiving the payload until it is ready for launch, providing space-saving launch capabilities. He said he would continue to demonstrate this to the military. .

Rapid launches are a top priority for the Space Force. Firefly has already demonstrated once during the previous Alpha mission, setting a new record for launch readiness. For this mission, Firefly had just 24 hours to complete its final preparations for launch, encapsulate its payload, and attach it to the rocket.

Source: techcrunch.com