Astronomical instrumentation articles from across Nature Portfolio

Astronomical instrumentation are the tools used to observe objects and phenomena that occur in space. These can include both terrestrial and satellite-borne telescopes. High precision optical components such as mirrors and lenses at all wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum are crucial to the development of these devices.

Latest Research and Reviews

Reviews | 22 March 2023

Black holes up close

The current observations and understanding of black holes is reviewed, and the future of the field of black-hole astrophysics is discussed.
- Ramesh Narayan
- & Eliot Quataert
Nature 615, 597-604
Research
02 March 2023 | Open Access

The impact of satellite trails on Hubble Space Telescope observations

Harnessing the power of citizen science and machine learning, this study takes in 20 years of Hubble Space Telescope images, of which 2.7% show satellite streaks, and predicts that this fraction will increase by up to an order of magnitude in the next decade.
- Sandor Kruk
- , Pablo García-Martín
- & Mark J. McCaughrean
Nature Astronomy 7, 262-268
Research
01 March 2023 | Open Access

Light curves and colours of the ejecta from Dimorphos after the DART impact

Optical observations of Dimorphos, a satellite of the asteroid 65803 Didymos, before, during and after the impact of the DART spacecraft, from a network of citizen science telescopes across the world are reported.
- Ariel Graykowski
- , Ryan A. Lambert
- & Ian M. Transom
Nature 616, 461-464
Research
10 February 2023 | Open Access

A study on motion reduction for suspended platforms used in gravitational wave detectors
- Sina M. Koehlenbeck
- , Conor M. Mow-Lowry
- & David S. Wu
Scientific Reports 13, 2388
Research | 23 January 2023

An Ice Age JWST inventory of dense molecular cloud ices

Using JWST, the molecules seen in planetary atmospheres can be traced back to their cold origins in ices formed in dense interstellar clouds, before the onset of star formation, revealing that chemical diversity and complexity is achieved early.
- M. K. McClure
- , W. R. M. Rocha
- & H. Linnartz
Nature Astronomy 7, 431-443
Research
09 January 2023 | Open Access

Early Release Science of the exoplanet WASP-39b with JWST NIRSpec G395H

The medium-resolution transmission spectrum of the exoplanet WASP-39b, described using observations from the Near Infrared Spectrograph G395H grating aboard JWST, shows significant absorption from CO₂ and H₂O and detection of SO₂.
- Lili Alderson
- , Hannah R. Wakeford
- & Xi Zhang
Nature 614, 664-669

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

Comments & Opinion
26 May 2023 | Open Access

Impact observations of asteroid Dimorphos via Light Italian CubeSat for imaging of asteroids (LICIACube)

On September 26^th 2022, LICIACube monitored Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission impact on asteroid Dimorphos, which is the smaller component of a binary asteroid system. These close observations revealed the impact ejecta features of the first planetary defence test with a kinetic impactor.
- Dotto Elisabetta
- & Zinzi Angelo
Nature Communications 14, 3055
News | 24 May 2023

Gravitational-wave detector LIGO is back — and can now spot more colliding black holes than ever

The twin gravitational-wave detectors have started a new observation run after a major upgrade.
- Davide Castelvecchi
Nature
Editorial | 19 May 2023

Early results on the early Universe

Reports of four galaxies from when the Universe was 2% of its current age are as exciting as they are puzzling — leading scientists to question our galaxy formation and evolution models.

Nature Astronomy 7, 505
Comments & Opinion | 19 May 2023

A space-borne X-ray imaging polarimeter

A year of science from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer has brought results that are stimulating a re-examination of theoretical models of astrophysical sources.
- Martin C. Weisskopf
- , Paolo Soffitta
- & Philip Kaaret
Nature Astronomy 7, 635
Editorial | 09 May 2023

In space, failure is an option — often the only one

Space companies should not lose heart when things go wrong. The first Moon missions failed repeatedly — and provided lessons on how to achieve success in space and beyond.

Nature 617, 223
News | 05 May 2023

What Russia’s continued participation in the ISS means for science

The nation’s pledge to support the International Space Station until 2028 is a relief for international scientists who depend on the station for their research.
- Layal Liverpool
Nature