Chemical abundance studies of the Sun and solar twins have demonstrated that the solar composition of refractory elements is depleted when compared to volatile elements, which could be due to […]
Astrochemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Water and Acetaldehyde in HH212: The First Hot Corino in Orion
Aims: Using the unprecedented combination of high resolution and sensitivity offered by ALMA, we aim to investigate whether and how hot corinos, circumstellar disks, and ejected gas are related in […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Press Release
Ethyl Alcohol and Sugar in Comet C/2014Q2 (Lovejoy)
The presence of numerous complex organic molecules defined as those containing six or more atoms) around protostars shows that star formation is accompanied by an increase of molecular complexity. These […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Microhydration Effect on Properties of First Branched Interstellar Molecule (i-PrCN)
In this work, we have focused on microsolvation of isopropyl cyanide (i-PrCN) as isopropyl cyanide has been recently detected in interstellar space and is of great importance from the astrochemical […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Influence of the UV Environment on the Synthesis of Prebiotic Molecules
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is common to most planetary environments, and could play a key role in the chemistry of molecules relevant to abiogenesis (prebiotic chemistry). In this work, we explore […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Effects of Turbulent Dust Grain Motion to Interstellar Chemistry
Theoretical studies have revealed that dust grains are usually moving fast through the turbulent interstellar gas, which could have significant effects upon molecular cloud chemistry by modifying grain accretion. This […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Moon
Origin of Organic Matter in Apollo Lunar Samples Revealed
A team of NASA-funded scientists has solved an enduring mystery from the Apollo missions to the moon the origin of organic matter found in lunar samples returned to Earth. Samples […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Press Release
Comet Lovejoy Observed Releasing Sugar and Alcohol Into Space
Comet Lovejoy lived up to its name by releasing large amounts of alcohol as well as a type of sugar into space, according to new observations by an international team. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Stellar Atmospheres Can be Used to Predict Composition of Rocky Exoplanets
In two recently published articles researchers from Instituto de Astrofsica e Cincias do Espao (IA3) show that the ratio of some heavy elements in a star, like Magnesium (Mg), Silicon […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Titania May Produce Abiotic Oxygen Atmospheres on Habitable Exoplanets
The search for habitable exoplanets in the Universe is actively ongoing in the field of astronomy. The biggest future milestone is to determine whether life exists on such habitable exoplanets. […]