Stephen Kane

A UCR astrophysicist is now an asteroid

Tracie Ventimiglia — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:18:38 +0000

A UCR astrophysicist is now an asteroid Tracie Ventimiglia Thu, 02/19/2026 - 14:18 More News Jules Bernstein January 21, 2026

A newly named asteroid is carrying a bit of UC Riverside into deep space.

The International Astronomical Union, which is responsible for naming celestial objects, has honored UCR professor of planetary astrophysics Stephen Kane by naming asteroid (711599) “Kane” after him.

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Stephen Kane

A UCR astrophysicist is now an asteroid

Tracie Ventimiglia — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:07:36 +0000

A UCR astrophysicist is now an asteroid Tracie Ventimiglia Thu, 02/19/2026 - 14:07 More Announcements Jules Bernstein January 21, 2026

Anewly named asteroid is carrying a bit of UC Riverside into deep space.

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Stephen Kane

Tiny Mars’ big impact on Earth’s climate

Tracie Ventimiglia — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:27:52 +0000

Tiny Mars’ big impact on Earth’s climate Tracie Ventimiglia Mon, 01/12/2026 - 11:27 More News Jules Bernstein January 12, 2026

At half the size of Earth and one-tenth its mass, Mars is a featherweight as far as planets go. And yet, new research reveals the extent to which Mars is quietly tugging on Earth’s orbit and shaping the cycles that drive long-term climate patterns here, including ice ages.

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Stephen Kane

Decades-old mystery of AlCl dipole moment resolved

Tracie Ventimiglia — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:55:07 +0000

Decades-old mystery of AlCl dipole moment resolved Tracie Ventimiglia Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:55 More News Iqbal Pittalwala June 11, 2025

In a study that closes a long-standing knowledge gap in fundamental science, researchers Boerge Hemmerling and Stephen Kane at the University of California, Riverside, have successfully measured the electric dipole moment of aluminum monochloride (AlCl), a simple yet scientifically crucial diatomic molecule. Their results, published in Physical Review A, have implications for quantum technologies, astrophysics, and planetary science.

Until now, the dipole moment of AlCl was only estimated, with no experimental confirmation. The study’s precise measurement now replaces the theoretical predictions with solid experimental data.

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Stephen Kane

International planet hunters unveil massive catalog of strange worlds

Tracie Ventimiglia — Fri, 24 May 2024 22:22:21 +0000

International planet hunters unveil massive catalog of strange worlds Tracie Ventimiglia Fri, 05/24/2024 - 15:22 More News Jules Bernstein May 23, 2024

While thousands of planets have been discovered around other stars, relatively little is known about them. A NASA catalog featuring 126 exotic, newly discovered worlds includes detailed measurements that allow for comparisons with our own solar system.

The catalog details a fascinating mix of planet types beyond our solar system, from rare worlds with extreme environments to ones that could possibly support life.

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Stephen Kane

Squeezed by neighbors, planet glows with molten lava

Tracie Ventimiglia — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:41:34 +0000

Squeezed by neighbors, planet glows with molten lava Tracie Ventimiglia Mon, 05/13/2024 - 08:41 More News Jules Bernstein May 09, 2024

UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane had to double check his calculations. He wasn’t sure the planet he was studying could be as extreme as it seemed.

Kane never expected to learn that a planet in this faraway star system is covered with so many active volcanoes that seen from a distance it would take on a fiery, glowing-red hue.

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Stephen Kane

To find life in the universe, look to deadly Venus

Tracie Ventimiglia — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:11:03 +0000

To find life in the universe, look to deadly Venus Tracie Ventimiglia Tue, 04/23/2024 - 14:11 More News Jules Bernstein April 22, 2024

Despite surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, lava-spewing volcanoes, and puffy clouds of sulfuric acid, uninhabitable Venus offers vital lessons about the potential for life on other planets, a new paper argues.

“We often assume that Earth is the model of habitability, but if you consider this planet in isolation, we don’t know where the boundaries and limitations are,” said UC Riverside astrophysicist and paper first author Stephen Kane. “Venus gives us that.”

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Stephen Kane

Fledgling planets discovered around a newly formed star

Tracie Ventimiglia — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 21:54:28 +0000

Fledgling planets discovered around a newly formed star Tracie Ventimiglia Fri, 02/02/2024 - 13:54 More News Jules Bernstein January 29, 2024

With an arsenal of advanced technology, scientists have found a multi-planet star system that provides a rare insight into the way planets form and behave around a young star.

TOI-1136 is a dwarf star in the Milky Way galaxy more than 270 light years from Earth, which is considered nearby, as the Milky Way is 100,000 light years in diameter. There are six confirmed planets orbiting the star, and scientists strongly suspect the presence of a seventh.

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Stephen Kane

Giant planets cast a deadly pall

Tracie Ventimiglia — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 22:39:02 +0000

Giant planets cast a deadly pall Tracie Ventimiglia Mon, 11/13/2023 - 14:39 More News Jules Bernstein October 31, 2023

Giant gas planets can be agents of chaos, ensuring nothing lives on their Earth-like neighbors around other stars. New studies show, in some planetary systems, the giants tend to kick smaller planets out of orbit and wreak havoc on their climates.

Jupiter, by far the biggest planet in our solar system, plays an important protective role. Its enormous gravitational field deflects comets and asteroids that might otherwise hit Earth, helping create a stable environment for life. However, giant planets elsewhere in the universe do not necessarily protect life on their smaller, rocky planet neighbors.

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Stephen Kane

Are Earth and Venus the only volcanic planets? Not anymore.

Tracie Ventimiglia — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 19:23:32 +0000

Are Earth and Venus the only volcanic planets? Not anymore. Tracie Ventimiglia Mon, 11/13/2023 - 11:23 More News Jules Bernstein May 17, 2023

Imagine an Earth-sized planet that’s not at all Earth-like. Half this world is locked in permanent daytime, the other half in permanent night, and it’s carpeted with active volcanoes. Astronomers have discovered that planet.

The planet, named LP 791-18d, orbits a small red dwarf star about 90 light years away. Volcanic activity makes the discovery particularly notable for astronomers because volcanism facilitates interaction between a world’s interior and its exterior.

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Stephen Kane