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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is transforming our understanding of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), the icy remnants of planetary formation. As part of the DiSCo-TNOs project, researchers have used JWST’s near-infrared data to identify two distinct groups among spectrally red TNOs, believed to be rich in organics. The key difference between these groups is the presence of surface ices—particularly methanol (CH₃OH) ice.
Dan Pineau, from the AMIS team, brilliantly defended his thesis on the fusion of imaging and spectroscopy data, with application to JWST data. Thesis carried out under the supervision of Alain Abergel (IAS) and François Orieux (L2S). He is now a new doctor at the University of Paris-Saclay, and will be heading for Luxembourg. Congratulations to him!
Since its launch in 2020, Solar Orbiter has carried out a number of gravity assists at Earth and Venus to gradually shrink its orbit and bring it closer to the Sun, but never before has it come as close to a planet as it did on 18 February 2025, when it came within just 379 km of Venus. For comparison, astronauts aboard the International Space Station orbit the Earth at an average altitude of 408 km.
The first "Green Day" at IAS, dedicated to climate change and carbon emissions, took place on Thursday, January 9, 2025. This initiative aims to raise awareness within our community about environmental issues and promote concrete actions to reduce the carbon footprint associated with laboratory activities.
In line with its values, the IAS has decided to leave the X and Facebook platforms.
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