FQ Cir was an ordinary fast He/N classical nova, peaking at V = 10.9. The pre-eruption and post-eruption counterpart was at V = 14.0, making this the smallest known classical nova amplitude, 3.1 mag. The nova light and the counterpart coincide at 0 .'' 034, and the counterpart is a rare hot/blue emission-line star with flickering, so the identification of the quiescent nova is certain. The counterpart is a weak Be main-sequence star, B1 V(n)(e). A coherent photometric period appears in all four TESS Sectors and in the AAVSO post-eruption light curve, as ellipsoidal modulation with an orbital period of 2.041738 days. The companion must have been spun up to a fast rotation, and like all Be stars, a decretion disk is exuded. With the constraints of the blackbody radius and the main sequence, the companion mass is 13.0( -0.5)(+0.2 )M(circle dot), with radius 6.2 +/- 0.2 R-circle dot. This is the discovery of a cataclysmic variable with a high-mass companion, a new class that we call "high-mass cataclysmic variables." The white dwarf mass is 1.25 +/- 0.10 M(circle dot )and must have an accretion disk that supplies fuel for the nova eruption. FQ Cir represents a new mode of accretion in interacting binaries, with Roche lobe overflow from the decretion disk feeding mass into the usual accretion disk around the white dwarf, for disk-to-disk accretion. From the mass budget of the binary, the primary star must have its initial mass be >7.7 M-circle dot, forming an ONe white dwarf, so FQ Cir can never become a Type Ia supernova.

HD 5501, a hitherto little-studied eclipsing binary with an early A-type primary, has been caught in a short-lived, astrophysically interesting phase of its binary evolution. Recent photometric and spectroscopic observations, including photometric data from TESS, show it has a highly variable light curve as well as complex spectral variability, particularly in both the absorption and emission components at H alpha. Our current campaign, including both professional and amateur observers, has determined that the primary is evolving rapidly across the Hertzsprung gap and that, unusually in the case of mass transfer, the orbital period is declining with a characteristic time-scale P/P-center dot approximate to 170 000 yr. Significantly, the orbit is eccentric and it appears that mass transfer from the primary to the secondary occurs only near periastron. Modelling indicates the presumed B7 V secondary to be surrounded by an accretion torus, which likely has dynamically chaotic variations in size and shape. Our analysis further implies the presence of a circumbinary disc or shell supplied by mass loss through the Lagrange L-3 point. That mass loss appears to account for most of the emission at H alpha. We describe how this astrophysically interesting system may yield valuable information about binary star evolution at the onset of Roche lobe overflow, as well as insights into eccentricity-modifying mechanisms such as the Soker mechanism.

MG1-1995959 is a short-period (∼0.586 day) eclipsing binary, exhibiting at times an extraordinarily large O’Connell effect (OE), for which this paper reports its discovery, time series photometry, and spectroscopic observation. The photometry is scattered across years 2001–2023, with spectroscopic observations from 2023. Photometric curves exhibit classical OE asymmetries, whereby maxima following primary and secondary eclipses are of different magnitudes. Short time span photometric time series provide static characterizations of OE stars yielding incomplete representations of critical macrobehavior. In contrast, MG1-1995959 photometry is of sufficient duration to indicate pronounced changes in such behavior, suggesting that intense observing programs can provide key benchmark data to better inform complex modeling efforts. Spectra indicate the primary to be K1 Vk(e), and the secondary type is ∼K5 V. PHOEBE modeling of the light curve from 2014 enables estimation of key stellar parameters (primary/secondary): T _eff [K] (5110/4260), and, in solar units, mass (0.86/0.68) and radius (0.93/0.65). The inclination of the system was found to be ∼78°. PHOEBE modeling of light curves from 2013, 2022, and 2023 is presented, demonstrating (1) the light curves can be well fit by invoking distributions of star spots, (2) optimal spot sizes and distributions vary dramatically as a function of time, and (3) this is a powerful tool with which to investigate the short term evolution of this star. MG1-1995959 is an accessible star with dynamic and unusual behavior deserving of intensive study to better understand nuances of the OE and the nature of late-type main-sequence stars.

Environmental protection principles finding their way into theology do not stop at the edge of our Solar System. Exoplanets orbiting other stars will be visited in the future and will require environmental protections, along with attention to species protections of human crew and any life forms that explorers encounter. This analysis introduces a biblical model for leaving our Solar System, a biological model for morality arising in other biologies, and a philosophical model for the meeting and merging of interstellar civilizations. Advances in warp propulsion systems are reviewed, along with the advances of signal detection, toward the end.

The speed, capacity, and strength of artificial intelligence units (AIs) could pose a self-inflicted danger to humanity's control of its own civilization. In this analysis, three biologically-based components of sentience that emerged in the course of human evolution are examined: cultural capacity, moral capacity, and religious capacity. The question is posed as to whether some measure of these capacities can be digitized and installed in AIs and so afford protection from their dominance. Theory on the emergence of moral capacity suggests it is most likely to be amenable to digitization and therefore installation in AIs. If so, transfer of that capacity, in creating commonalities between human and AI, may help to protect humanity from being destroyed. We hypothesize that religious thinking and culturally elaborated theological creativity could, in not being easily transferred, afford even more protection by constructing impenetrable barriers between humans and AIs, along real/counterfactual lines. Difficulties in digitizing and installing the three capacities at the foundation of sentience are examined within current discussions of “superalignment” of superintelligent AIs. Human values articulate differently for the three capacities, with different problems and capacities for supervision of superintelligent AIs.

The history of how Homo sapiens out-survived the Neanderthals is recalled here with the goal of conceiving an edge in our coming competition with a faster, stronger artificial intelligence (AI) who has far greater capacity for information storage. The social and cognitive differences between the two hominid species, Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis, are described. Based on findings from genomics, neuroscience, archaeology, and paleobiology, it appears possible that the capacities of Homo sapiens could outreach those of AIs in some ways. Especially important are human visuospatial, cultural, and, oddly enough, theological capacities, and the interaction of these capacities in group problem-solving. While communication between AIs is fast and can be widespread, the authors ask whether this is the right kind of communication for solving problems of survival. An important question is explored throughout: Is it ethical to withhold from AIs human-like capacities that may become possible to install? Finally, a worrisome question is broached: Is it the best course to create AIs in our own image to safeguard our existence in unknown future interactions with extraterrestrial species, both organic and inorganic?

This analysis summarizes conclusions on an evolutionary model for the origin of moral and religious capacities in the genus Homo. The authors’ published model (2020, Routledge) is now extended to the emergence of nascent theological thinking, augmenting the previous line of theory based on genomics, cognitive science, neuroscience, paleoneurology, cognitive archaeology, ethnography, and modern social science. This analysis concludes that findings support the earliest theological thinking in Homo sapiens , but not in an earlier species, Homo erectus , and clarifies why and when it likely began. Types of anatomy, behavior, neurology, and cognition are presented that support tendencies to frame a structure of religious principles and a set of supernatural figures that early humans would consider right, just, exemplary, and even sacred. Stages of emergent physical, behavioral, and cognitive features are presented in tables. While based on published research results in the sciences, the model is presented here with anticipation of future testing.

Settlement of the Outer Planets of the Solar System will take humans far away from the Sun, its warmth, and the light on which humans depend. Most settlements will be small mining enclaves or research stations until well into the future. Lengthy travel times will satisfy the human needs for hope, patience, acceptance, self-study, and contemplation of God's role in the universe. The authors explore the potential roles of theology and religion in Deep Space, the Asteroids, and the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn where life might be found in the liquid oceans under ice that is kilometers deep.

Evolutionary theory is applied to recent neuroscientific findings on factors associated with risk-and-reward systems, and consequently, aspects of human decision making in spaceflight. Factors include enzymes aiding metabolic pathways of dopamine and serotonin; neurotrophic factors supporting neuronal functioning and plasticity; and genes associated with serotonin and dopamine systems. Not all factors are at risk in spaceflight. Some remain stable. It is hypothesized that neural deconditioning in spaceflight arises from faulty signals sent to the brain and gut in attempting to adapt phenotypically to a novel space environment. There is a mismatch between terrestrial selection pressures during human evolution and conditions of cosmic radiation, microgravity, and higher CO2, which together cause scattered results. A contrary question is broached: Given these findings, why are human sequelae not worse? Discussion of programmatic issues then focuses on methodologies to determine the suitability of civilians for spaceflight, an issue that grows more pressing while more varied populations prepare for spaceflight in LEO and on, and in orbit around the Moon.

TU Tau (=HD 38218 = HIP 27135) is a binary system consisting of a C-N carbon star primary and an A-type secondary. We report on new photometry and spectroscopy which tracked the recent disappearance of the A-star secondary. The dimming of the A star was gradual and irregular, with one or more brief brightenings, implying the presence of nonhomogeneities in the carbon star outflow. We also present evidence that the A star is actively accreting s -process enriched material from the carbon star and suggest that it will therefore eventually evolve into a Barium giant. This is an important system as well because the A-type star can serve as a probe of the outer atmosphere of the carbon star.

New theological understanding can emerge with the advancement of scientific knowledge and the use of new concepts, or older concepts in new ways. Here, the authors present a proposal to extend the concept of "rescue and recovery" found in the United Nations Law of the High Seas, off-world and within a broader purview of other intelligent and self-aware species that humans may someday encounter. The notion of a morality that extends to off-world species is not new, but in this analysis, rescue and recovery become an imperative when any intelligent and self-aware species is in harm's way. Rescue and recovery encompass a necessary action component except perhaps in those cases where rescuers are in danger. The authors explore three biblical examples of rescue and recovery to derive a fundamental meaning of the concept.

The authors analyze the biblical roots of human responsibility for the earthly environment, and the forms of moral despoilment in the Bible that are later applied to environmental destruction. They then take the reader on an ecotheological journey of the Inner Planets Earth's Moon and Mars. For each location, authors explore (1) the planetary science, (2) human adaptation to those conditions, and (3) the future roles of religion, theology, and ecotheology. Religions and theologies borrowed from earthly populations will play important roles in helping to manage human off-world settlements, and in providing hope, education, social constraints, and values for governance.

As the number of detected Earth-like exoplanets keeps increasing, the prospect of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations becomes day after day more plausible. It has been noticed that the encounter between space civilizations implies a fusion of Big Histories. By following Teilhard, the authors argue that the hypothetical contact with alien intelligent life would also result in a merging of the noospheres. The long-term perspective of this process is the awakening of the entire universe. This article provides a history of the idea of noosphere, a reconstruction of Teilhard’s “sociological theory,” and an exploration of the theological consequences of his theory.

Astrotheologians and Astroethicists must be futurists at the same time that they articulate theological issues and moral quandaries in future settlement programs. One methodology used to recommend solutions is the construction of a scenario, a story that extrapolates from what is known to what is yet unknown, following models in international planning and operations research. In anticipation of the roles of religion and the clergy in an off-Earth settlement on Mars, we offer this dramatic story, which takes place during a long, 10-year Martian War of Independence. Issues framed on Earth (as in the 1962 UN Principles) take on new importance in a multi-national, multi-ethic, Martian society, where political and religious leadership based essentially on future versions of ancient Judeo-Christian principles is key to survival.

This is an exploratory review of two very recent, intersecting segments of space science: neuroplasticity in space, and decision-making in space. The high level of neuroplasticity in humans leads to unfortunate neurological and physical deconditioning while the body adjusts to the new space environment. However, neuroplasticity may also allow recovery and continued functioning of decision-making at a level necessary for mission completion. Cosmic radiation, microgravity, heightened levels of carbon dioxide in spacecraft, and other factors are being explored as root causes of neurological and physical deconditioning in space. The goal of this paper is to explore some of the lines of causation that show how these factors affect the capacity of humans to make decisions in space. Either alone or in groups, it remains essential that humans retain an ability to make decisions that will save lives, protect equipment, complete missions, and return safely to Earth. A final section addresses healthcare, medical intervention, and remediation that could help to “harness” neuroplasticity before, during, and after spaceflight. The dual nature of human neuroplasticity renders it both a cause of problems and also potentially the foundation of remediation. The future of research on both neuroplasticity and human decision-making promises to be full of surprises, both welcome and otherwise. It is an exciting time in research on space medicine.

An enlarged purview for amplification of religious doctrine can become necessary for a spacefaring species. Settlement of distant planetary bodies involves both technological and theological issues. The authors apply this notion to environmental preservation of the Earth, Earth's Moon, and cislunar space between Earth and Moon, as a unit. In expanding environmental protection beyond Earth to the new cislunar unit, humans take an important step in settling the Moon responsibly. The relationships of immanence and transcendence to the new environmental unit provide examples of the conceptual tasks ahead. Profiles in Ecotheology round out the analysis and point toward future roles.

Future human space missions are challenging for astroethics for many reasons— political, social, economic or environmental. The ethical challenge increases when human presence in space is discussed in relation to population forces such as natural selection and genetic drift. In our chapter we discuss possible trajectories of population forces in different variants of future human space settlements. One of the discussed issues is the idea to control—at least to some extent—possible negative outcomes of population forces in space, or to accelerate some of them. We argue that the idea of human modification by genetic editing becomes clearer and more reasonable when it is discussed in the specific terms of population biology.