Metallic Aluminum Suboxides with Ultrahigh Electrical Conductivity at High Pressure.

Aluminum, as the most abundant metallic elemental content in the Earth's crust, usually exists in the form of alumina (AlO). However, the oxidation state of aluminum and the crystal structures of aluminum oxides in the pressure range of planetary interiors are not well established. Here, we predicted two aluminum suboxides (AlO, AlO) and two superoxides (AlO, AlO) with uncommon stoichiometries at high pressures using first-principle calculations and crystal structure prediction methods.

Exploring the link between star and planet formation with Ariel.

The goal of the Ariel space mission is to observe a large and diversified population of transiting planets around a range of host star types to collect information on their atmospheric composition. The planetary bulk and atmospheric compositions bear the marks of the way the planets formed: Ariel's observations will therefore provide an unprecedented wealth of data to advance our understanding of planet formation in our Galaxy. A number of environmental and evolutionary factors, however, can affect the final atmospheric composition.

A wide-orbit giant planet in the high-mass b Centauri binary system.

Planet formation occurs around a wide range of stellar masses and stellar system architectures. An improved understanding of the formation process can be achieved by studying it across the full parameter space, particularly towards the extremes. Earlier studies of planets in close-in orbits around high-mass stars have revealed an increase in giant planet frequency with increasing stellar mass until a turnover point at 1.

The depth of Jupiter's Great Red Spot constrained by Juno gravity overflights.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) is the largest atmospheric vortex in the Solar System and has been observed for at least two centuries. It has been unclear how deep the vortex extends beneath its visible cloud tops. We examined the gravity signature of the GRS using data from 12 encounters of the Juno spacecraft with the planet, including two direct overflights of the vortex.

The role of ice lines in the formation of Uranus and Neptune.

We aim at investigating whether the chemical composition of the outer region of the protosolar nebula can be consistent with current estimates of the elemental abundances in the ice giants. To do so, we use a self-consistent evolutionary disc and transport model to investigate the time and radial distributions of HO, CO, CO, CHOH, CH, N and HS, i.e.