INAF Arcetri Journal

The monthly newsletter of the INAF Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

July-August 2026 | Issue 4

Scientific Spotlight

Direct imaging discovery of the planet Beta Pictoris d

Thanks to the ERIS instrument on the VLT, a third planet has been discovered orbiting the star Beta Pictoris. It is the faintest exoplanet ever imaged directly from Earth and one of the least massive ever observed. Its signal had already been detected in archival observations.

The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, includes Guido Agapito, Marco Bonaglia, Runa Briguglio, Luca Carbonaro, Giovanni Cresci, Simone Esposito, Debora Ferruzzi, Filippo Mannucci, Alfio Puglisi, Armando Riccardi and Marco Xompero from INAF Arcetri.

“Direct Imaging Discovery of Giant Exoplanet β Pictoris d: A Decade-Long Game of Hide-and-Seek”, Sutlieff B.J. et al., The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2026)

Further information:

Credits: Eso/B. Sutlieff, M. Bonse et al.

The magnetic field of the pulsar in the Lighthouse Nebula

IXPE space telescope measured the magnetic field of the pulsar PSR J1101-6101 within the Lighthouse Nebula, confirming the theory that high-energy particles escape along the galaxy's magnetic field lines. The observed divergence in the orientation of the magnetic fields between radio waves and X-rays provides evidence for the highly structured nature of these objects.

The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal is co-authored by Niccolò Bucciantini of INAF Arcetri.

“IXPE Polarizations of the Lighthouse Pulsar, Trail, and Filament", Dinsmore J. T.et al., The Astrophysical Journal (2026)

Further information:

Creditis Nasa/Cxc/Stanford Univ./J.T. Dinsmore et al. (Chandra); Nasa/Msfc/J.T. Dinsmore et al. (Ixpe); Csiro/Atnf/Atca (radio); 2Mass/UMass/Ipac-Caltech/Nasa/Nsf (ottico); Nasa/Cxc/Sao/L. Frattare (elaborazione dell’immagine)

Complex organic molecules in the Bright Angel formation on Mars

Analysis by the Perseverance rover has confirmed the presence of organic carbon in two Martian rocks from a sample collected in the Bright Angel Formation. The research suggests that billions of years ago, organic substances on Mars may have been present not only locally but also more widely in the planet's ancient lakes and rivers.

The study, published in Science Advances, is co-authored by Teresa Fornaro of INAF Arcetri.