NCCR PlanetS

Observations made with the ESO’s VLT have revealed evidence for a moon-like object in the CD-35 2722 system. Unlike moons in our Solar System, the newly found object does not orbit a planet, raising questions about what to name it. Instead, it circles a brown dwarf, an object larger than a planet, that orbits the CD-35 2722 star. If confirmed, this could be the first ‘moon’ discovered outside our Solar System. Read more at www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/news/eso2610/?lang

Beobachtungen mit dem VLT der ESO liefern Hinweise auf ein mondähnliches Objekt im System CD-35 2722. Im Gegensatz zu den Monden in unserem Sonnensystem umkreist das neu entdeckte Objekt keinen Planeten, was Fragen bezüglich seiner Bezeichnung aufwirft. Stattdessen zieht es seine Bahn um einen Braunen Zwerg – ein Objekt, das grösser als ein Planet ist und selbst den Stern CD-35 2722 umkreist. Sollte sich die Entdeckung bestätigen, könnte dies als der erste Nachweis eines «Mondes» ausserhalb unseres Sonnensystems gelten. Mehr dazu unter www.eso.org/public/germany/news/eso2610/?nolang

Fifty years ago, NASA's Viking 1 made history with the first successful landing on Mars. It returned the first images from the Martian surface and carried out life-detection experiments that remain controversial to this day. New analyses suggest Viking may have detected signs of microbial life that were misunderstood at the time. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/42msvbtk

Planetary defense is becoming a global effort: China has announced plans to build a comprehensive early warning system for potentially hazardous asteroids. A network of telescopes and satellites is intended to detect possible impact threats much earlier in the future.

China announces plan to build early-warning system for dangerous asteroids The country is mapping out an asteroid early-warning network. But what will it look like?

The fight to preserve the dark night sky has begun. U.S. authorities have approved the first space mirror. If tens of thousands more follow, they could dramatically increase light pollution, interfere with astronomical observations, and disrupt sensitive ecosystems.

The FCC just gave Reflect Orbital permission to launch its 1st space mirror to orbit. Tens of thousands more could follow "We're excited to demonstrate how our technology works and to introduce transformative, clean technology the world urgently needs."

A team of astronomers have discovered a third planet orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. The new planet, Beta Pictoris d, is 100 times fainter than Beta Pictoris b – the first planet discovered in the same system – and is among the lightest exoplanets ever to be imaged from the ground. After spotting the planet using ESO’s VLT, the team found it had been hiding in archive observations spanning more than a decade. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/2bxcumsd

https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/news/eso2609/?lang

Ein Team von Forschenden hat einen dritten Planeten entdeckt, der den Stern Beta Pictoris umkreist. Der neue Planet, Beta Pictoris d, ist einhundertmal lichtschwächer als Beta Pictoris b – der erste in diesem System entdeckte Planet – und gehört zu den masseärmsten Exoplaneten, die jemals von der Erde aus direkt abgebildet werden konnten. Nachdem das Team den Planeten mithilfe des VLT der ESO aufgespürt hatte, stellte sich heraus, dass er sich über ein Jahrzehnt lang in Archivdaten verborgen hatte.Mehr dazu unter https://tinyurl.com/5cxnfeeu

https://www.eso.org/public/switzerland-de/news/eso2609/

Following the remarkable scientific achievements of the space telescope CHEOPS, ESA has decided to extend the mission once again. The space telescope, which was built at the University of Bern and whose science operations center is located at the University of Geneva, will now continue to operate until the end of 2029. This decision underscores the outstanding performance and scientific value of CHEOPS in exoplanet research. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/bdz6e2eb

Exploring Space, Advancing Human Health — Symposium
Date: 10 June 2026 | Time: 14:00–17:00 | Location: University of Bern, ExWi, Room A006, Bern
How can insights from space exploration shape the medicine of tomorrow? At the Space Meets Medicine Symposium 2026, experts from the fields of space science, medicine, and research will come together to discuss innovative approaches to healthcare and patient care. The symposium will focus on technologies for extreme environments, novel research approaches, and the transfer of space-derived innovations into clinical practice. The event offers fascinating insights into a forward-looking field at the intersection of space science and medicine. The European Space Agency (ESA) is participating as a key partner. For further information and to register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/mv2n4avj

Exploring Space, Advancing Human Health — Symposium
Datum: 10. Juni 2026 | Zeit: 14:00–17:00 Uhr | Ort: Universität Bern, ExWi, Raum A006, Bern
Wie können Erkenntnisse aus der Raumfahrt die Medizin von morgen prägen? Beim Space Meets Medicine Symposium 2026 treffen Expertinnen und Experten aus Raumfahrt, Medizin und Forschung aufeinander, um innovative Ansätze für Gesundheit und Versorgung zu diskutieren. Im Fokus stehen Technologien für extreme Umgebungen, neue Forschungsansätze sowie der Transfer von Innovationen aus dem All in die klinische Praxis. Die Veranstaltung bietet spannende Einblicke in ein zukunftsweisendes Forschungsfeld an der Schnittstelle von Weltraumwissenschaft und Medizin. Die ESA ist dabei als zentrale Partnerin vertreten. Weitere Informationen und Anmeldung unter https://tinyurl.com/mv2n4avj

An international research team involving the University of Bern has used high-resolution measurements with some of the world's most powerful telescopes to determine the wind speeds on seven very hot exoplanets similar to Jupiter. The observations revealed that the winds on these planets are most likely influenced by magnetic fields. This is the strongest evidence to date of magnetism on planets outside our solar system. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3s2ap87p

Special Seminar on JAXA’s MMX Mission. The University of Bern welcomes Masaki Fujimoto, Director General of ISAS/JAXA, to a special seminar on Monday, 8 June 2026. The event marks the launch of an international outreach collaboration for JAXA’s Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission, involving the University of Bern’s Center for Space and Habitability. The seminar will feature presentations by representatives of JAXA and researchers from the University of Bern.
When: Monday, 8 June 2026, 13:15–15:00
Where: Aula (Room 210), Main Building, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/5h4xvpn7

Noticeable change on Mars often takes millions of years – but the ESA’s Mars Express has captured a blanket of dark ash creeping across the planet in just decades.

Ash creeps across Mars Noticeable change on Mars often takes millions of years – but the European Space Agency’s Mars Express has captured a blanket of dark ash creeping across the planet in just decades.