Tracking Solar Supergranulation: How the Sun’s Surface Patterns Evolve Over Its Magnetic Cycle
This study tracks how the Sun’s supergranulation, a surface flow pattern, varies over its magnetic cycle and impacts exoplanet detection. Using HARPS-N data and two correction methods, the authors found that supergranulation timescales are longest during solar minimum. They also show that observing strategies must account for this variability to improve planet-hunting precision, both for the Sun and other stars.
Chemical Fingerprints of Planets: What Solar Twins Tell Us About the Sun and the Galaxy
Martos et al. used a neural network to measure precise chemical abundances in stars similar to the Sun. They found the Sun is unusually depleted in refractory elements, likely due to planet formation. Their results also suggest the presence of distinct stellar subpopulations in the Milky Way, offering new insights into stellar and planetary evolution.
Is the Sun Really That Special? A Closer Look at Its Chemical Makeup
Carlos et al. studied 50 Sun-like stars to investigate whether the Sun's unusual chemical makeup is due to its planets. They found no strong link between giant planets and the Sun’s low refractory element content. Instead, the differences are better explained by the Galaxy’s chemical evolution. The Sun is slightly unusual, but not uniquely so.
Is Our Sun Special? Comparing the Sun to Its Stellar Siblings
Herbst et al. analyzed 48 Sun-like stars to see how closely they resemble the Sun in magnetic activity. Only one star, KIC 11599385, matched the Sun in key properties, including faculae dominance and rotation period. This suggests the Sun may be rare among its peers, highlighting the need for more precise, unbiased observations.