Highlights from AAS Nova: 3–16 May 2026

AAS Nova provides brief highlights of recently published articles from the AAS journals, i.e., The Astronomical Journal (AJ), The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ), ApJ Letters, ApJ Supplements, The Planetary Science Journal, and Research Notes of the AAS. The website's intent is to gain broader exposure for AAS authors and to provide astronomy researchers and enthusiasts with summaries of recent, interesting research across a wide range of astronomical fields.

The following are the AAS Nova highlights from the past two weeks; follow the links to read more, or visit AAS Nova for more posts. You can also sign up to receive emails each time a new post is published.

15 May 2026
Hints for Massive Galaxy Evolution from Dusty Star-Forming Galaxies
A recent study looks at the star and dust morphologies across samples of massive galaxies to understand how dusty star-forming galaxies fit into the picture of massive galaxy evolution.

13 May 2026
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Through the Eyes of Rubin Observatory
During its commissioning phase, the highly anticipated Vera C. Rubin Observatory serendipitously spotted the third known interstellar object.

12 May 2026
Hunting for Exomoons Around a Lonely Planet
Astrobites reports on how JWST may be the key to finding moons around planets beyond our solar system.

11 May 2026
Into the Void: Investigating the Heart of a Giant Elliptical Galaxy
New observations from JWST and the Very Large Telescope illuminate the dark feature at the center of a galaxy cluster’s brightest occupant.

8 May 2026
A New View of the Spectroscopic Universe
More than a quarter century ago, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey fundamentally changed the way modern astronomy research is done. The collaboration recently released their summary of the fifth generation of their landmark survey.

6 May 2026
Simulations of Turbulent Mixing Close One Gap but Open Another
Recent work explores whether a commonly assumed source of data–model disagreement in simulations of stellar interiors is really to blame.

5 May 2026
Feed the Fire, Fade the Metals
Astrobites reports on whether cosmic clumps are “homegrown” or fueled by fresh inflows.

4 May 2026
Featured Image: Galaxies Caught in Transition
Are galaxies that travel through space in groups any different from those that fly solo? A new look at local galaxies provides clues.

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