News
New ExoMolHR release: 42 molecules and 100 isotopologues.
With the release, new ExoMolHR now provides data on higher resolution spectra of 42 molecules and 100 isotopologues. This release uses an improved file format and based on an improved selection criteria: energy uncertainty ΔE ≤ 0.05 cm⁻¹,
resolving power R > 100 000.
The new atomic line list data ExoAtom as been published in RASTI: RAS Techniques & Instruments: "EXOATOM: a database of atomic spectra in ExoMol format", Ni et al. 2026
Visit https://exomol.com/exoatom/ to access the data and academic.oup.com/rasti/articl... to read the paper.
We organise the conference "Spectroscopy of Exoplanets Over All Wavelength" at High Leigh Conference Centre (Broxbourne, Hertfordshire) on 26-29 June 2025
The conference will begin at 2 pm on Thursday 26 June with departure at noon on Sunday 29 June 2025.
In an era of challenging new spectroscopic observations of planets outside the Solar System, brown dwarfs and cool stars, it is essential to ensure the provision of adequate atomic and molecular data for analysis and interpretation. A meeting at which observers and those providing data may exchange ideas is being held in the idyllic Hertfordshire countryside at the end of June.
For more information, see the conference webpage.
Prof. Jonathan Tennyson has been awarded the Royal Astronomical Society's illustrious Gold Medal for 2025 as a pioneering molecular physicist who is illuminating our understanding of exoplanets
Royal Astronomical Society press release
One of the world's most distinguished theoretical astronomers and a pioneering molecular physicist who is illuminating our understanding of exoplanets have each been awarded the Royal Astronomical Society's illustrious Gold Medal for 2025.
Professor Tennyson said he was "deeply honoured" to receive a Gold Medal from the RAS.
"This award is a recognition of the continuing importance of extensive and high quality laboratory data in supporting cutting edge astronomical research, and the important driver astronomy plays in the development of new methods in atomic and molecular physics," he added.
Professor Tennyson was honoured for a lifetime of ground-breaking research in molecular physics, as well as for his pioneering leadership of the ExoMol project, which aims to provide molecular line lists for exoplanets and other worlds with hot atmospheres.
These line lists are essential in the measurements and interpretations of measured spectra, and as a result, the ExoMol project is widely considered a standard method across the community. It has been fundamental to our understanding of the chemistry and dynamics of exoplanetary and solar system atmospheres.
Professor Tennyson's theoretical work on water molecules also led to the first detection of water in sunspots and proved that water could survive in stars as hot as our Sun.
He is on several editorial boards for scientific journals, including being the Editor-in-Chief of the RAS Journal of Techniques and Instruments, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Jonathan awarded ERC Public Engagement Award
Jonathan received the award in the category “Inspire – public outreach” with the Orbyts project.
Interview with ExoMol's Alec Owens in The Guardian
Alec from ExoMol talks about life as a PhD student: My PhD takes me into a world of space molecules and alien fart jokes.
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