Highlights from AAS Nova: 31 May – 20 June 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 three 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.

19 June 2026
AAS 248: Day 4
On the final day of AAS 248, we heard about how ultraviolet spectroscopy can transform our understanding of the origin of the elements.

18 June 2026
AAS 248: Day 3
A glimpse into the world of high energy density laboratory astrophysics, 40 years of infrared astronomy, the discovery of twin supernova remnants, and more on Day 3 of AAS 248.

17 June 2026
AAS 248: Day 2
On Day 2 of AAS 248: roasted exoplanets, globular clusters, the cost of losing our dark night skies, and more.

16 June 2026
AAS 248: Day 1
Day 1 of AAS 248 in Pasadena, CA: cosmology, early results from Rubin Observatory, a discussion of AI in astronomy, and much more!

15 June 2026
AAS 248: Welcome!
AAS 248 in Pasadena, CA, is underway! Here are some education, outreach, and related sessions that you might want to check out at the meeting.

12 June 2026
AAS Publishing at AAS 248 in Pasadena
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Pasadena. Here’s where you can find the publishing team during the conference.

10 June 2026
Shot from the Heart of the Milky Way: Discovery of an Old Hypervelocity Star
A recent study presents the first strong evidence of an old, low-mass hypervelocity star flung from the galactic center.

9 June 2026
Could a White Dwarf–Black Hole Pair Explain the Longest Gamma-Ray Burst Ever Seen?
The gamma-ray burst GRB 250702B displayed several unusual behaviors that researchers are still finding ways to explain.

8 June 2026
Shining a Light on the Shadowy Movements in Saturn’s Rings
Astrobites reports on an explanation for the appearance of Saturn’s A ring.

5 June 2026
Courtside Seats on Mars
Although 3I/ATLAS stayed clear of Earth during its passage through the solar system, astronomers repurposed a spacecraft around Mars for a good look as it flew by.

3 June 2026
Now That’s Metal: How to Spot Stars That Have Swallowed Their Planets
Stars gobbling up their close-in planets is likely common throughout the universe. Researchers explore the chemical signatures of these events and where they’re most likely to be seen.

2 June 2026
The First Starspot Spectrum Revealed by JWST
Astrobites reports on how researchers have taken advantage of the unique TOI-3884 system to directly probe a starspot with JWST.

1 June 2026
Featured Image: Massive Young Star Clusters, Revealed
JWST peers through dusty, knotted gas to uncover young star clusters in the interacting Antennae galaxies.

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