Molecular complexity in the interstellar medium (ISM) poses one of the most intriguing challenges in astrochemistry: how can chemical reactions operate efficiently under the extreme physical conditions of space?
2026
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Supramolecular Interactions of Organometallic Origin Facilitating Astrochemical Reactions: An Electronic Structure Study Featuring Metal Cyanides versus Metal Isocyanides
This work highlights how organometallic chemistry and supramolecular interactions can together drive astrochemically relevant reactions. For this purpose, MCN and MNC species (M = Mg(II), Mg(I), and Al(I)) detected in […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Intelligence & Language, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A Narrowband Technosignature Search Toward The Hycean Candidate K2-18b Using The VLA And MeerKAT
K2-18b, a sub-Neptune exoplanet located in the habitable zone of its host star, has emerged as an important target for atmospheric characterization and assessments of potential habitability.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Laying the Foundation for a Comprehensive View of Transiting Exoplanets with the Galactic Bulge Survey
The primary science driver of the Roman Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey (GBTDS) is the detection and demographics of cold exoplanets via microlensing (Astro2010, Penny et al. 2019).
Posted inGaia - Planetary Perspectives, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Origin & Evolution of Life, Plant Biology, Press Release
From Sea To Soil: Molecular Changes Suggest How Algae Evolved Into Plants
Before plants evolved, vegetative life consisted of primitive green algae living in the sea. Like plants, these algae survived by performing photosynthesis, turning sunlight into energy. However, little light reaches […]
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
A Mapping Method Of Age Estimation For Binary Stars: Application To The Alpha Centauri System A And B
Given the wealth of data provided by Gaia and the upcoming PLATO mission, it is essential to improve stellar models to obtain accurate stellar ages. Our objective is to apply […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Coma Volatile Composition And Thermal Physics In Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Measured Near Closest Approach To Earth With NASA-IRTF
The 2023 perihelion passage of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) afforded an opportunity to measure the abundances and spatial distributions of coma volatiles in an Oort cloud comet at high spatial […]
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Programmable Lego-like Material Emulates Life’s Flexibility
Mechanical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a proof-of-concept method for programming mechanical properties into solid Lego-like building blocks. By controlling the solidity of hundreds of individual cells in specific […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Proxima Centauri, Status Report
RedDots: Multiplanet System Around M Dwarf GJ 887 In The Solar Neighborhood
GJ 877 is a bright M dwarf in the solar neighborhood with two currently reported nontransiting exoplanets with periods of 9 d and 21 d, along with an additional unconfirmed […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Why Only A Small Number Of Planets Are Suitable For Life
For life to develop on a planet, certain chemical elements are needed in sufficient quantities. Phosphorus and nitrogen are essential. Phosphorus is vital for the formation of DNA and RNA, […]