[ACS Earth Space Chemistry] Although energetic and nonenergetic processing of interstellar dust grain surfaces and ice is thought to be one of the dominant mechanisms for the extraterrestrial synthesis of […]
Astrochemistry
![Visual abstract -- [Journal of the American Chemical Society]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Nonequilibrium.jpg?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Nonequilibrium Formation of Pyridine (C5H5N) in Interstellar Ice Analogs: Implications for Biorelevant Nitrogen Heterocycles in Ryugu and Bennu
[Journal of the American Chemical Society] Biorelevant nitrogen heterocycles, including the five canonical nucleobases found in RNA and DNA, have recently been identified in samples returned from the carbonaceous asteroids […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
The Abundance And Emission Of PAHs From The Local To Early Universe
[astro-ph.GA] We present the first large-volume cosmological simulation of galaxy evolution with a model for the abundance and luminous emission of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) across a wide range of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Modeling The Radiolysis In H2O:HCOOH ice: Connecting Laboratory Experiments With Astronomical Measurements
[RSC Advances] We present a computational study of radiolytic chemistry and desorption dynamics in astrophysical ice composed of H2O:HCOOH (1 : 1), irradiated with Ni11+ ions at 46 MeV and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Nonequilibrium Formation of C4 Carbonyls in Interstellar Ices Linked to Amino Acids
[ACS Central Science] Complex organic molecules in interstellar ices and carbonaceous asteroids record key steps in the chemical evolution toward life, yet the origin of branched carbonyl compounds a fundamental […]
Posted inEnceladus
How Enceladus’ Ocean Spray Becomes Chemically Diverse Ice Grains
[Institute of Science Tokyo] Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus hides a global ocean beneath its frozen surface. From fractures near its south pole, material from this ocean is ejected into space […]
![Experimental schematic for sequential extraction of soluble organic material from meteorites for analysis by FT-ICR MS and HR-AFM. -- [Planetary Science Journal]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Direct-Molecular.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Direct Molecular-scale Insight Into Soluble Organic Matter From The Murchison and Aguas Zarcas Meteorites
[Planetary Science Journal] Organic material in the Murchison and Aguas Zarcas meteorites preserves molecular records of early solar system chemistry and potential precursors to life.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Ammonia And An Unexpected Chill Discovered On Distant Giant Planet HATS-6 b
[University of Maryland] Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team of astronomers led by the University of Maryland identified water, methane and ammonia in the atmosphere of HATS-6 […]
Posted inMeteorites & Asteroids
A Glimpse of the Solar System’s Origins: Striking Details on the Molecules Inside a Meteorite
[Brookhaven National Laboratory] Researchers at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory have teamed up to get a fresh look at the complex makeup of meteorites and […]
![Observed lightcurve of Atira in 𝑉 and 𝑅𝐶 bands. A scaling of +0.43 mag is applied to all 𝑅𝐶 magnitudes. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Nordic-based.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Nordic-based Observations Of Binary Asteroid (163693) Atira Reveal A Hydrated CM Chondrite Composition
[astro-ph.EP] We present photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric observations of (163693) Atira collected on the night of 05 March 2024. A dual-band lightcurve acquired in the V and R_C filters using […]