pith. machine review for the scientific record. sign in

arxiv: 2604.20182 · v1 · submitted 2026-04-22 · 🌌 astro-ph.IM · astro-ph.EP

Recognition: unknown

Science from the In Situ Exploration of the Proxima Centauri System

T. Marshall Eubanks , Jean Schneider , Bruce Bills , W. Paul Blase , Andreas M. Hein , Pierre Kervella , Adam Hibberd , Robert G. Kennedy III
show 6 more authors
Manasvi Lingam Philip Lubin Philip D. Mauskopf Thomas J. Mozdzen Richard M. Scott Slava G. Turyshev
Authors on Pith no claims yet

Pith reviewed 2026-05-09 23:58 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 🌌 astro-ph.IM astro-ph.EP
keywords interstellar travelpicospacecraftlaser propulsionProxima bexoplanet explorationspacecraft swarmshabitable planetsflyby missions
0
0 comments X

The pith

Gram-scale picospacecraft swarms propelled by lasers can image Proxima b at gigapixel resolution during relativistic flybys.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The authors investigate the scientific potential of using laser-propelled picospacecraft to explore the Proxima Centauri system. They demonstrate that swarms of these tiny craft, despite traveling at near-relativistic speeds, could capture high-resolution images of the exoplanet Proxima b. This would allow for the detection of surface features, possible biological activity, or technological signatures on the planet. Such missions represent an accessible way to gather data from the nearest star system with initial small-scale efforts.

Core claim

Interstellar exploration at near-relativistic speeds will be possible using beamed energy laser propulsion, enabling gram-mass picospacecraft to explore deep space. For the target planet Proxima b in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, a picospacecraft swarm could deliver gigapixel resolution of the target exoplanets even with fast flybys. Initial small spacecraft expeditions would provide a substantial science return, including the ability to detect surface biology or a technological civilization.

What carries the argument

Coracle laser-sail picospacecraft swarms, small gram-mass vehicles using laser sails for acceleration to near-relativistic velocities and rapid flyby data collection.

If this is right

  • Even brief flybys can yield gigapixel resolution images of exoplanets like Proxima b.
  • Surface biology on Proxima b could be detected through such imaging.
  • Signs of a technological civilization could be identified if present.
  • Science data can be obtained both en route to the system and during the flyby.
  • Small, initial expeditions offer meaningful scientific returns without requiring large spacecraft.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • Deploying these swarms could provide data years or decades earlier than larger, slower missions.
  • The technique might apply to exploring other nearby stars beyond Proxima Centauri.
  • Data relay and swarm coordination challenges during high-speed passes require further engineering solutions.
  • Combining this with traditional astronomy could give a more complete picture of habitable zone planets.

Load-bearing premise

Laser systems can accelerate and maintain control over gram-mass picospacecraft at near-relativistic speeds while allowing the swarm to collect and transmit data in the short time of a flyby.

What would settle it

An experiment or simulation showing that picospacecraft cannot maintain formation or transmit gigapixel-level data during a seconds-long flyby at high speeds would disprove the central claim.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2604.20182 by Adam Hibberd, Andreas M. Hein, Bruce Bills, Jean Schneider, Manasvi Lingam, Philip D. Mauskopf, Philip Lubin, Pierre Kervella, Richard M. Scott, Robert G. Kennedy III, Slava G. Turyshev, Thomas J. Mozdzen, T. Marshall Eubanks, W. Paul Blase.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: shows an artist’s impression, from a NASA video1 , of the Coracle swarm approaching Proxima b [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p002_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: Artist’s impression of a Coracle approaching Proxima b (and reflecting the light of Proxima Centauri). The 12,000- nm intra-swarm “Side Lasers” (see Subsection 6.3) are for intra-swarm probe-to-probe communications. Each round ring on the top (instrumentation) side of the sail visible here is the 200 mm annulus aperture of a folded optic camera (see [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p003_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: The beta-plane of a swarm flyby of Proxima Centauri b, with the swarm shown lying in that plane. (Note that the planned swarm dispersion is much smaller than is indicated in this artist’s impression, and that in practice the swarm will not be exactly centered on Proxima b’s position due to ephemeris errors.) coherent 4-m diameter aperture array would improve this positioning by a factor of ∼20. By observin… view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: Oblique view of the top/forward of a probe (side facing away from the launch laser) depicting array of phase￾coherent apertures for both imaging and for sending data back to Earth [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p013_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: Cross-sectional close-up view of one annular aper￾ture in array of phase-coherent elements depicting ray trace from the annulus to the sensor / emitter in the center of the aperture. In this design, light is collected from a total of 5% of the total aperture area. baseline length, to reduce the distance errors of the pul￾sars observed by up to 5 orders of magnitude, allowing for future interstellar pulsar … view at source ↗
Figure 6
Figure 6. Figure 6: The folded optics use an exterior annulus with a width of 25-mm, with internal folded metamaterial reflectors sending light from an annular aperture to an optical well containing a central sensor. Folded optics will be crucial for obtaining high quality images with Coracle mass probes. terrestrial stellar microlensing event rate, of order 10−7 events yr−1 star−1 (Mróz et al. 2025), would be acceler￾ated to… view at source ↗
Figure 7
Figure 7. Figure 7: Focal points of the paths on two probes. The arrows point toward potential amplified targets [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p015_7.png] view at source ↗
Figure 8
Figure 8. Figure 8: The focal distances of the Proxima planets are much larger than the Proxima focal distance itself, these be￾ing 0.23, 0.09 and 0.35 ly for Proxima b, c and d, re￾spectively, using the planetary masses and radii in Ta￾ble 3. This will enable a “hybrid microlensing” zone, where the primary mass (the star) will form a grav￾itational lens, but the planetary masses will not, al￾though the atmospheres of those p… view at source ↗
Figure 9
Figure 9. Figure 9: Cross-sections of protective leading (to left) edge with sacrificial barrier, and instrumented trailing edge (to right) that contains the betavoltaic battery sandwiches and the probe-to-probe optical transceivers. Note the electronic layer and ultracapacitor layer span the entire perimeter for mass balance, and to assure connectivity. Parameter ∼Value Comments Collision Rate 1013 p + m−2 s −1 or 2 × 10−14 … view at source ↗
Figure 10
Figure 10. Figure 10: The basics of the OESF loop. To minimize bandwidth usage, this would kept to small sets of neighbors, neighbors of neighbors, etc. During its two years voyage through the Solar Sys￾tem’s Oort Cloud, the probe will observe stellar occul￾tations by small bodies. Beyond the Oort Cloud, the probe will similarly observe stellar occultations by in￾terstellar asteroids or rogue planets, if any, and then there wi… view at source ↗
Figure 11
Figure 11. Figure 11: Definition of angle αi for a probe encountering a single body X We have already precluded knowledge of the location of X, and also knowledge of Pi , thus we are as yet unable to calculate µX by equations 4 or 8. As already stated, we have no direct knowledge of the position of X, thus Pi in equation 4 is unknown, however we do have item 2 in [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p020_11.png] view at source ↗
Figure 12
Figure 12. Figure 12: Definition of angle βi for a probe encountering a single body X Thus we have: sin βi = (V⃗ i,1 × V⃗ i,2) · ⃗ey [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p021_12.png] view at source ↗
Figure 13
Figure 13. Figure 13: Geometry of the transit seen by the probe The orbital period seen from the probe is then Pp = Po(1 + (dDp(t)/dt)1/c) . • Duration of transits Let us consider two extreme cases – The probe trajectory is perpendicular to the binary orbit. Then the probe will see a tran￾sit as long as the companion is in front of the observed star, that is a duration (P/π)R∗/a, the same as for a fixed observer with respect t… view at source ↗
Figure 14
Figure 14. Figure 14 [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p023_14.png] view at source ↗
Figure 15
Figure 15. Figure 15: shows models of the expected amplitude of the gravitational wave signal on the Earth-Proxima baseline distance. These models are in rough agreement with recent determinations of the stochastic gravita￾tional wave background by pulsar timing arrays (PTA), which indicate that this signal will be dominated by bi￾nary masses ≳ 108 M⊙ and orbital periods of order a few years to a few decades (Sato-Polito et al… view at source ↗
Figure 16
Figure 16. Figure 16: The illumination (proxlight) from Proxima at Proxima b during non-flare periods compared with the solar illumination in the solar system (this and subsequent im￾ages ignore any spectral absorption or transmission lines in the stellar spectra). Very approximately, the visual-band proxlight at Proxima b, while 54 times weaker than sunlight at Earth (see [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p025_16.png] view at source ↗
Figure 17
Figure 17. Figure 17: Proxima has ∼ daily optical flares, with bright￾ness temperatures of order 9000 K, and occasionally much stronger (and hotter) flares, such as the flare observed on May 1, 2019 (MacGregor et al. 2021). These flares substan￾tially increase the blue and UV light available at Proxima b; there is a decent chance of a bright optical flare during the 0.8 day period while Proxima b is resolved by the Coracle cam… view at source ↗
Figure 18
Figure 18. Figure 18: Sources suitable for transmission spectroscopy of Proxima b. α Centauri A and B are the only natural sources in the Proxima b sky bright enough in the visual band to support 10-meter resolution sampling of its atmosphere. Sirius and other bright stars could also be used for this pur￾pose, but with larger integration times and thus worse reso￾lution. The terrestrial launch laser, if it is turned on for the… view at source ↗
Figure 19
Figure 19. Figure 19: EUV Sources suitable for transmission and re￾flection spectroscopy of Proxima and Proxima b. The EUV source Epsilon Canis Majoris (ϵ CMa) is normally the bright￾est source in the sky at Proxima b, substantially brighter than the (non-flare) EUV emission from Proxima itself. It would thus be an ideal source for EUV transmission spec￾troscopy of the outer layers of the atmospheres of both of these bodies. i… view at source ↗
read the original abstract

In the future interstellar exploration at near-relativistic speeds will be possible using beamed energy laser propulsion. With this, spacecraft as small as gm mass picospacecraft become candidates for the exploration of deep space, with a trade space of velocity and mission duration versus mass. Here, we examine the potential science return from interstellar expeditions with Coracle laser-sail picospacecraft swarms and show how even with fast flybys at near relativistic velocities, a picospacecraft swarm could deliver gigapixel resolution of the target exoplanets. Our mission target is the planet Proxima b in the habitable zone (HZ) of the red dwarf Proxima Centauri, the tertiary (and nearest) component of the nearest star system, {\alpha} Centauri. We explore science returns from such an expedition, both en route to Proxima and at the Proxima system, and conclude that initial small spacecraft expeditions would provide a substantial science return, including the ability to detect surface biology or a technological civilization, should either or both be established on the target planet.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

2 major / 2 minor

Summary. The manuscript proposes that laser-propelled gram-mass picospacecraft swarms (termed Coracle) can achieve gigapixel-resolution imaging of Proxima b during near-relativistic flybys, delivering substantial science return en route and in the Proxima Centauri system, including the potential to detect surface biology or technological civilizations on the habitable-zone planet.

Significance. If the engineering assumptions on propulsion, swarm control, and imaging hold, the work would offer a useful trade-space framework for evaluating the scientific payoff of initial interstellar picospacecraft missions, emphasizing that even short-duration flybys could yield high-resolution data and biosignature or technosignature searches beyond what remote observations provide.

major comments (2)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract and the central imaging claim: the assertion that a picospacecraft swarm can deliver gigapixel resolution during seconds-scale near-relativistic flybys rests on order-of-magnitude estimates without supplied error budgets, Monte Carlo simulations, or quantitative treatment of laser beam pointing accuracy, sail stability, swarm formation maintenance, or relativistic aberration effects on the focal-plane geometry.
  2. [Mission concept / trade studies] The weakest assumption section (laser propulsion reliability for gram-mass craft): the paper treats reliable acceleration to near-relativistic speeds, swarm coherence, and data return as feasible without referencing specific experimental results, pointing budgets, or power-aperture requirements that would be needed to close the link budget for high-resolution imaging.
minor comments (2)
  1. [Abstract] Notation for spacecraft mass (gm vs. g) and velocity scaling should be standardized and defined at first use.
  2. [Trade space discussion] The manuscript would benefit from an explicit table summarizing the key free parameters (spacecraft mass, flyby velocity, laser aperture) and their assumed ranges.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

2 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for their constructive and detailed comments. These have prompted us to clarify the scope and assumptions of our conceptual study. We address each major comment below and have revised the manuscript accordingly.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract and the central imaging claim: the assertion that a picospacecraft swarm can deliver gigapixel resolution during seconds-scale near-relativistic flybys rests on order-of-magnitude estimates without supplied error budgets, Monte Carlo simulations, or quantitative treatment of laser beam pointing accuracy, sail stability, swarm formation maintenance, or relativistic aberration effects on the focal-plane geometry.

    Authors: The manuscript is framed as a high-level exploration of scientific return from near-relativistic picospacecraft flybys, using order-of-magnitude estimates to bound the imaging potential. We acknowledge that a full engineering analysis would require error budgets, Monte Carlo modeling of pointing and stability, and explicit treatment of relativistic aberration. In the revised version we have expanded the abstract to emphasize the order-of-magnitude nature of the claims, added a dedicated subsection on key assumptions and uncertainties (including brief quantitative estimates for pointing accuracy and aberration effects drawn from the literature), and cited relevant work on sail dynamics and swarm control. Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations and detailed error propagation remain outside the scope of this initial science-focused study. revision: partial

  2. Referee: [Mission concept / trade studies] The weakest assumption section (laser propulsion reliability for gram-mass craft): the paper treats reliable acceleration to near-relativistic speeds, swarm coherence, and data return as feasible without referencing specific experimental results, pointing budgets, or power-aperture requirements that would be needed to close the link budget for high-resolution imaging.

    Authors: We agree that the propulsion and data-return assumptions are stated at a high level. The paper's primary contribution is the assessment of science return under those assumptions rather than a closed engineering design. In revision we have added citations to existing experimental and conceptual work on gram-scale laser sails (including Breakthrough Starshot-related studies) and inserted a short trade-study paragraph on link-budget closure for gigapixel data return. We have also clarified that swarm coherence and acceleration reliability are treated as external technology milestones. Detailed pointing budgets and full power-aperture calculations for the ground-based laser array are not performed here, as they depend on hardware parameters not yet specified; we note this limitation explicitly in the revised text. revision: partial

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: prospective concept paper with no self-referential derivations or fitted predictions

full rationale

The paper is a forward-looking concept study outlining potential science returns from hypothetical laser-propelled picospacecraft swarms to Proxima b. It discusses trade-offs in velocity, mass, and imaging resolution at relativistic speeds but does not present any mathematical derivation chain, parameter fits, or predictions that reduce to the paper's own inputs by construction. No equations redefine outputs as inputs, no fitted parameters are relabeled as independent predictions, and self-citations (if present) do not load-bear the central claims as unverified uniqueness theorems. The analysis remains self-contained as an exploratory discussion of engineering assumptions and science opportunities without circular reduction.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

2 free parameters · 2 axioms · 1 invented entities

The claims depend on unproven assumptions about future propulsion performance and imaging during ultra-short encounters; no independent evidence is supplied for the required technology.

free parameters (2)
  • spacecraft mass
    Gram-scale picospacecraft assumed to enable the velocity-duration trade space.
  • flyby velocity
    Near-relativistic speeds chosen to shorten mission duration while still claiming high resolution.
axioms (2)
  • domain assumption Laser beams can accelerate and steer gram-mass sails to near-relativistic speeds with sufficient precision for swarm operations.
    Core enabling assumption for the entire mission architecture.
  • domain assumption A swarm of picospacecraft can coordinate to produce gigapixel composite images during a seconds-long flyby.
    Required for the resolution claim but not demonstrated.
invented entities (1)
  • Coracle laser-sail picospacecraft swarms no independent evidence
    purpose: To achieve high-resolution imaging and science return at Proxima b.
    New mission architecture introduced in the paper.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5551 in / 1428 out tokens · 29663 ms · 2026-05-09T23:58:50.726651+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

296 extracted references · 235 canonical work pages · 1 internal anchor

  1. [1]

    Four Sub-Earth Planets Orbiting Barnard's Star from MAROON-X and ESPRESSO. Ap. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/adb8d5 , archivePrefix =. 2503.08095 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8213/adb8d5 2041

  2. [2]

    Evidence for a Distant Giant Planet in the Solar System. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/0004-6256/151/2/22 , archivePrefix =. 1601.05438 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/0004-6256/151/2/22

  3. [3]

    The Inclination of the Planetary System Relative to the Solar Equator May Be Explained by the Presence of Planet 9. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/153/1/27 , archivePrefix =. 1607.05111 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/153/1/27

  4. [4]

    The Astrophysical Journal Letters 833(1), 3 (2016) https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8205/833/1/L3 arXiv:1610.04992 [astro-ph.EP]

    Generation of Highly Inclined Trans-Neptunian Objects by Planet Nine. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/833/1/L3 , archivePrefix =. 1610.04992 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/833/1/l3 2041

  5. [5]

    The Astrophysical Journal Letters 910(2), 20 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/abee1f arXiv:2104.05799 [astro-ph.EP] 18

    Injection of Inner Oort Cloud Objects into the Distant Kuiper Belt by Planet Nine. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/abee1f , archivePrefix =. 2104.05799 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8213/abee1f 2041

  6. [6]

    November

    Colors of Life in the Clouds: Biopigments of Atmospheric Microorganisms as a New Signature to Detect Life on Planets like Earth. Astrophys. Journal Letters , year = 2025, month= "November", volume =. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ae129a

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ae129a 2025

  7. [7]

    New Extreme Trans-Neptunian Objects: Toward a Super-Earth in the Outer Solar System. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/152/6/221 , archivePrefix =. 1608.08772 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/152/6/221

  8. [8]

    Astrophys

    Corralling a Distant Planet with Extreme Resonant Kuiper Belt Objects. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/824/2/L22 , archivePrefix =. 1603.02196 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/824/2/l22 2041

  9. [9]

    Constraints on the location of a possible 9th planet derived from the Cassini data. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201628227 , archivePrefix =. 1602.06116 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201628227

  10. [10]

    Astrophys

    Interaction Cross Sections and Survival Rates for Proposed Solar System Member Planet Nine. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/823/1/L3 , archivePrefix =. 1602.08496 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/823/1/l3 2041

  11. [11]

    Universe , year = 2020, month = aug, volume =

    The Astrobiology of Alien Worlds: Known and Unknown Forms of Life. Universe , year = 2020, month = aug, volume =. doi:10.3390/universe6090130 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.3390/universe6090130 2020

  12. [12]

    A review of exoplanetary biosignatures. Phys. Rep. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2017.08.003 , archivePrefix =. 1710.03976 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2017.08.003 2017

  13. [13]

    Astrobiology , keywords =

    Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres. Astrobiology , keywords =. doi:10.1089/ast.2018.1954 , archivePrefix =. 1910.05224 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1089/ast.2018.1954 2018

  14. [14]

    Detectability of biosignatures on LHS 1140 b. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039663 , archivePrefix =. 2012.11426 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039663 2012

  15. [15]

    Astrophys

    Biosignature Gases in H _ 2 -dominated Atmospheres on Rocky Exoplanets. Astrophys. J. , keywords =. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/777/2/95 , archivePrefix =. 1309.6016 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1088/0004-637x/777/2/95

  16. [16]

    2021 , publisher=

    Life in the Cosmos: From Biosignatures to Technosignatures. 2021 , publisher=

    2021

  17. [18]

    Space Sci

    Cometary Isotopic Measurements. Space Sci. Rev. , keywords =. doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0156-9 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0156-9

  18. [19]

    Earth Moon and Planets , keywords =

    Isotopic Ratios in Comets: Status and Perspectives. Earth Moon and Planets , keywords =. doi:10.1007/s11038-009-9322-y , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1007/s11038-009-9322-y

  19. [20]

    Walsh, A

    Galactic chemical evolution and the oxygen isotopic composition of the solar system. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. , keywords =. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2012.01410.x , archivePrefix =. 1207.7337 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2012.01410.x 1945

  20. [21]

    Is there an exoplanet in the Solar system?. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw075 , archivePrefix =. 1603.07247 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw075

  21. [22]

    Astrophys

    Observational Constraints on the Orbit and Location of Planet Nine in the Outer Solar System. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/824/2/L23 , archivePrefix =. 1603.05712 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/824/2/l23 2041

  22. [23]

    Observational Constraints on Planet Nine: Cassini Range Observations. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/0004-6256/152/4/94 , archivePrefix =. 1604.03180 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/0004-6256/152/4/94

  23. [24]

    Dynamical Evolution Induced by Planet Nine. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa937c , archivePrefix =. 1710.01804 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa937c

  24. [25]

    Astrophys

    Preliminary constraints on the location of the recently hypothesized new planet of the Solar System from planetary orbital dynamics. Astrophys. Space Sci. , keywords =. doi:10.1007/s10509-016-2993-8 , archivePrefix =. 1512.05288 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1007/s10509-016-2993-8

  25. [26]

    Orbital Clustering in the Distant Solar System. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aaf051 , archivePrefix =. 1901.07115 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aaf051 1901

  26. [27]

    Finding Planet Nine: a Monte Carlo approach. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw049 , archivePrefix =. 1603.06520 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw049

  27. [28]

    Evaluating the Dynamical Stability of Outer Solar System Objects in the Presence of Planet Nine. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa7aa2 , archivePrefix =. 1706.06609 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa7aa2

  28. [29]

    Solar Obliquity Induced by Planet Nine: Simple Calculation. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/0004-6256/152/6/215 , archivePrefix =. 1608.01421 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/0004-6256/152/6/215

  29. [30]

    arXiv e-prints , keywords =

    Cost-Optimal System Performance Maps for Laser-Accelerated Sailcraft. arXiv e-prints , keywords =

  30. [31]

    Low-cost precursor of an interstellar mission. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202038687 , archivePrefix =. 2007.12814 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202038687 2007

  31. [32]

    Constraints on planetary and asteroid-mass primordial black holes from continuous gravitational-wave searches. Phys. Rev. D , keywords =. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.105.062008 , archivePrefix =. 2110.06188 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1103/physrevd.105.062008

  32. [33]

    Astrophys

    Cosmologists in Search of Planet Nine: The Case for CMB Experiments. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/822/1/L2 , archivePrefix =. 1602.05963 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/822/1/l2 2041

  33. [34]

    Dynamical impact of the Planet Nine scenario: N-body experiments. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw078 , archivePrefix =. 1604.06241 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slw078

  34. [35]

    Evolution and magnitudes of candidate Planet Nine. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201628350 , archivePrefix =. 1602.07465 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201628350

  35. [36]

    Astrophys

    Making Planet Nine: Pebble Accretion at 250-750 AU in a Gravitationally Unstable Ring. Astrophys. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/0004-637X/825/1/33 , archivePrefix =. 1603.08008 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/0004-637x/825/1/33

  36. [37]

    Astrophys

    Making Planet Nine: A Scattered Giant in the Outer Solar System. Astrophys. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/0004-637X/826/1/64 , archivePrefix =. 1603.08010 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/0004-637x/826/1/64

  37. [38]

    Observational Bias and the Clustering of Distant Eccentric Kuiper Belt Objects. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa79f4 , archivePrefix =. 1706.04175 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa79f4

  38. [39]

    The planet nine hypothesis. Phys. Rep. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2019.01.009 , archivePrefix =. 1902.10103 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2019.01.009 2019

  39. [40]

    OSSOS. VI. Striking Biases in the Detection of Large Semimajor Axis Trans-Neptunian Objects. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa7aed , archivePrefix =. 1706.05348 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa7aed

  40. [41]

    A Search for Planet Nine using the Zwicky Transient Facility Public Archive. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac32dd , archivePrefix =. 2110.13117 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac32dd

  41. [42]

    Science , keywords =

    The small satellites of Pluto as observed by New Horizons. Science , keywords =. doi:10.1126/science.aae0030 , archivePrefix =. 1604.05366 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1126/science.aae0030

  42. [43]

    Science , keywords =

    The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons. Science , keywords =. doi:10.1126/science.aad1815 , archivePrefix =. 1510.07704 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1126/science.aad1815

  43. [44]

    Nature , keywords =

    Reorientation of Sputnik Planitia implies a subsurface ocean on Pluto. Nature , keywords =. doi:10.1038/nature20148 , archivePrefix =. 1903.05574 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1038/nature20148 1903

  44. [45]

    The sun diver: Combining solar sails with the Oberth effect. Am. J. Phys. , keywords =. doi:10.1119/10.0002178 , archivePrefix =. 2009.12659 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1119/10.0002178 2009

  45. [46]

    Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion: Tapping the energy of the solar wind for spacecraft propulsion. J. Geophys. Res. , keywords =. doi:10.1029/1999JA000334 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1029/1999ja000334

  46. [47]

    Acta Astronaut

    Exploring the Kuiper Belt with sun-diving solar sails. Acta Astronaut. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.02.019 , archivePrefix =. 1810.00407 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.02.019 2019

  47. [48]

    Nano Lett

    Low-Power Laser Sailing for Fast-Transit Space Flight. Nano Lett. , year = 2022, month = feb, volume =. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04188 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04188 2022

  48. [49]

    The Pluto System After New Horizons. Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1146/annurev-astro-081817-051935 , archivePrefix =. 1712.05669 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1146/annurev-astro-081817-051935

  49. [50]

    2014, in Protostars and Planets VI, ed

    The Pluto System After New Horizons. doi:10.2458/azu\_uapress\_9780816540945 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.2458/azu

  50. [51]

    Science , author=

    The atmosphere of Pluto as observed by New Horizons. Science , keywords =. doi:10.1126/science.aad8866 , archivePrefix =. 1604.05356 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1126/science.aad8866

  51. [52]

    Astrobiology , keywords =

    Assessment of Ammonia as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres. Astrobiology , keywords =. doi:10.1089/ast.2020.2358 , archivePrefix =. 2107.12424 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1089/ast.2020.2358 2020

  52. [53]

    Astrophys

    Habitability and Biosignatures of Hycean Worlds. Astrophys. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/abfd9c , archivePrefix =. 2108.10888 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-4357/abfd9c

  53. [55]

    2021, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 921, L8, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac1f92

    Unveiling Shrouded Oceans on Temperate sub-Neptunes via Transit Signatures of Solubility Equilibria versus Gas Thermochemistry. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ac1f92 , archivePrefix =. 2108.04745 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ac1f92 2041

  54. [56]

    2018, ApJ, 853, 163, doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa9f1e

    Compositional Imprints in Density-Distance-Time: A Rocky Composition for Close-in Low-mass Exoplanets from the Location of the Valley of Evaporation. Astrophys. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/aa9f1e , archivePrefix =. 1706.00251 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-4357/aa9f1e

  55. [57]

    Astrophys

    Irradiated Ocean Planets Bridge Super-Earth and Sub-Neptune Populations. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ab9530 , archivePrefix =. 2002.05243 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ab9530 2041

  56. [58]

    M., Haldemann, J., Ronco, M

    The nature of the radius valley. Hints from formation and evolution models. Astron. Astrophys. , keywords =. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039141 , archivePrefix =. 2008.05513 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039141 2008

  57. [59]

    The California-Kepler Survey. VII. Precise Planet Radii Leveraging Gaia DR2 Reveal the Stellar Mass Dependence of the Planet Radius Gap. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aae828 , archivePrefix =. 1805.01453 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aae828

  58. [60]

    The Orbit of Planet Nine. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac2056 , archivePrefix =. 2108.09868 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac2056

  59. [61]

    The Secular Dynamics of TNOs and Planet Nine Interactions. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aae83b , archivePrefix =. 1806.06867 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aae83b

  60. [62]

    Hyperbolic comets as an indicator of a hypothetical planet 9 in the solar system. Adv. Space Res. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2022.02.001 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.asr.2022.02.001 2022

  61. [63]

    Tilting Uranus via Secular Spin-Orbit Resonance with Planet 9. Planet. Sci. J. , keywords =

  62. [64]

    arXiv e-prints , keywords =

    Further support and a candidate location for Planet 9. arXiv e-prints , keywords =

  63. [65]

    Searching for giant planets in the outer Solar System with far-infrared all-sky surveys. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnras/stac2044 , archivePrefix =. 2207.09985 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnras/stac2044

  64. [66]

    Limits on the Detection of Planet Nine in the Dark Energy Survey. Astron. J. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac5c56 , archivePrefix =. 2203.07642 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac5c56

  65. [67]

    Space Sci

    Oxygen Isotopes in the Solar System. Space Sci. Rev. , keywords =. doi:10.1023/A:1024669116828 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1023/a:1024669116828

  66. [68]

    Space Sci

    Oxygen Isotopes and Sampling of the Solar System. Space Sci. Rev. , keywords =. doi:10.1007/s11214-020-0645-3 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1007/s11214-020-0645-3

  67. [69]

    Acta Astronaut

    The fastest routes of approach to dwarf planet Sedna for study its surface and composition at the close range. Acta Astronaut. , year = 2022, month = mar, volume =. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.12.011 , archivePrefix =. 2112.11506 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.12.011 2022

  68. [70]

    Acta Astronaut

    Achieving the required mobility in the solar system through direct fusion drive. Acta Astronaut. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.04.047 , archivePrefix =. 2002.12686 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.04.047 2020

  69. [71]

    Acta Astronaut

    Exploration of trans-Neptunian objects using the Direct Fusion Drive. Acta Astronaut. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.09.022 , archivePrefix =. 2009.12633 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.09.022 2020

  70. [72]

    Return to the Kuiper Belt: Launch Opportunities from 2025 to 2040. J. Spacecraft Rockets , keywords =. doi:10.2514/1.A34329 , archivePrefix =. 1810.07811 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.2514/1.a34329 2025

  71. [73]

    Analysis of mission opportunities to Sedna in 2029-2034. Adv. Space Res. , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2021.05.035 , archivePrefix =. 2112.13017 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.asr.2021.05.035 2029

  72. [74]

    A Survey of Mission Opportunities to Trans-Neptunian Objects. J. Br. Interplanet. Soc. , keywords =

  73. [75]

    Prospects for Future Exploration of the Trans-Neptunian Region. Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. , year = 2021, volume =. doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.5950ca1c , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.5950ca1c 2021

  74. [76]

    Astrophys

    Blackbody Radiation from Isolated Neptunes. Astrophys. J. Lett. , keywords =. doi:10.3847/2041-8205/822/1/L11 , archivePrefix =. 1603.02876 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.3847/2041-8205/822/1/l11 2041

  75. [77]

    Astrophys

    Planet Nine, dark matter and MOND. Astrophys. Space Sci. , keywords =. doi:10.1007/s10509-016-2815-z , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1007/s10509-016-2815-z

  76. [78]

    Extreme trans-Neptunian objects and the Kozai mechanism: signalling the presence of trans-Plutonian planets. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slu084 , archivePrefix =. 1406.0715 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slu084

  77. [79]

    Nature 507(7493), 471–474 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13156

    A Sedna-like body with a perihelion of 80 astronomical units. Nature , year = 2014, month = mar, volume =. doi:10.1038/nature13156 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1038/nature13156 2014

  78. [80]

    The fates of Solar system analogues with one additional distant planet. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. , keywords =. doi:10.1093/mnras/stw2170 , archivePrefix =. 1608.07580 , primaryClass =

    work page doi:10.1093/mnras/stw2170

  79. [81]

    Icarus , keywords =

    The observation of large semi-major axis Centaurs: Testing for the signature of a planetary-mass solar companion. Icarus , keywords =. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2015.06.020 , adsurl =

    work page doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2015.06.020 2015

  80. [82]

    arXiv e-prints , keywords =

    The Brute-Force Search for Planet Nine. arXiv e-prints , keywords =

Showing first 80 references.