![Schematic representation of the chemical concept explored in this work. (A) Ethanolamine (EtA, NH2CH2CH2OH), methanol (CH3OH), and water (H2O) are subjected to electron irradiation, illustrating the starting molecular components and the formation of an unresolved product inventory after energetic processing. The question mark denotes the chemically diverse products investigated by FTIR, TPD-QMS, and ESI-MS. (B) Structure of the choline cation, [(CH3)3NCH2CH2OH]+ , included as a structurally related reference for assessing methylated EtA-derived and/or choline-like spectral features. -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Electron.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.GA]. Ethanolamine (EtA) is a recently detected interstellar complex organic molecule and a potential precursor to more functionalised N-bearing species.
Interstellar
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Multiband Color Monitoring of 3I/ATLAS Through Ground-Based Relay Observations
[astro-ph.EP] We present multiband, long-baseline photometric observations of interstellar comet 3I throughout its 2025–2026 apparition using coordinated ground-based global relay observations.
![Comparison of isovalent species including sulfinothioic acid (1a, HSS(O)H) and recently detected hydrogen trioxide (trans‐/cis‐HOOOH). The calculated geometries of 1a were completed at the CCSD(T)‐F12/cc‐pVTZ‐F12 level of theory. This geometry is compared with calculated geometries of hydrogen trioxide from Bai et al. [17]. -- Agendwante Chemie via PubMed](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Interstellar-Ice.jpg?resize=1200%2C722&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Interstellar Ice Chemistry Yields Elusive Sulfinothioic Acid (HS(O)SH)
[Agendwante Chemie via PubMed]. Low-oxidation-state sulfur oxyacids are key yet experimentally elusive intermediates in interstellar sulfur chemistry; even the simplest member, sulfinothioic acid (HS(O)SH), has neither been detected in space […]
![Ratio maps involving the PAH7.7 feature and the F1500W synthetic photometry applied to the MRS cubes for ASPECS galaxies. The first row of panels shows the maps of the total PAH7.7 feature to the synthetic F1500W photometry. Ratios above 1 are possible because the wings of the PAH feature extend well beyond the filter (see text for details and Donnan et al. 2026b). The second row of panels is the fraction of PAH7.7 feature within the F1500W filter to the synthetic F1500W photometry. The third row of panels is the same as the second but for the fraction of continuum emission within the F1500W to the synthetic F1500W photometry -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PAHSPECS.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
PAHSPECS: JWST/MIRI Spectroscopy Of PAHs at Cosmic Noon
[astro-ph.GA] The physical conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM) are thought to differ greatly at high redshifts compared to local galaxies. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are key ISM constituents, mediating […]
Posted inSETI & Technosignatures
Is A Nearby Advanced Alien Civilization Out There Waiting To Pounce On Earth? Unlikely, Says New Study
[Northern Arizona University] Science fiction suggests that life on other planets, if it exists, is likely far more advanced than life on Earth.
![Sky-coverage of the four surveys utilized in this study, with celestial coordinates displayed. It depicts three consecutive observation sectors of TESS, labeled as i−1, i, and i+1. Each of the four TESS cameras is represented by a different color. The beginning of each sector is marked in gray at an ecliptic latitude of 6 deg. The green area indicates the observing region of the fourth camera, which begins at an ecliptic latitude of 78 deg and encompasses the entire ecliptic pole. The magenta, yellow, and grey areas depict the typical 15-day observation coverage of LSST, Pan-STARRS, and ATLAS-W68, respectively. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1IOumuamua.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
Posted inInterstellar
1I/’Oumuamua-like Objects’s SFDs With Older, Current And Future Surveys
[astro-ph.EP] Interstellar Objects (ISOs) may provide direct evidence of planetesimals ejected from early-stage solar systems. Studying these objects and predicting their detection through various surveys is vital for enhancing our […]
![Orbit of 3I/ATLAS showing the 17 UVES/VLT observing epochs. Open and filled circles represent pre- and post-perihelion observations, respectively. Planet positions with filled circles are shown for the date of perihelion. The open diamond marks Earth’s position at the discovery of 3I/ATLAS, while the open circles along Earth’s orbit indicate its position at each observing epoch. [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/High-resolution.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inComets and Asteroids
High-resolution Optical Spectroscopy Reveals The Distinctive Volatile Composition Of The Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
[astro-ph.EP] Comets preserve volatile material from the early stages of planetary-system formation. The discovery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS enables a direct comparison between a comet formed around another star […]
![LDPI–ReTOF mass spectrum obtained after the deposition of 40 ML pure NH3 ice at 15 K (red), without VUV irradiation. A reference mass spectrum obtained for a bare, clean substrate is presented for comparison (black). The spectra are offset for clarity -- [astro-ph.IM]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Quantifying.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Quantifying The Temperature-dependent Yields Of N2 And N2H4 Formation In Vacuum-ultraviolet-irradiated NH3 Ice
[astro-ph.IM] Gas–grain astrochemical models predict that a substantial fraction of elemental nitrogen in dense cores and protoplanetary disks is locked in molecular nitrogen (N2), in the gas or ice phase, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
JWST Reveals Refractory-Rich Water Ice in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Evidence for a Continuum of Grain Properties across Protoplanetary Disks
[astro-ph.EP] We present JWST/NIRSpec PRISM observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS obtained on 2025 August 6 (Epoch 1), 2025 December 22 (Epoch 2), and 2026 April 1 (Epoch 3), spanning […]
![Schematic illustration of the ablation scheme used at the MATRI2CES setup. The laser fires at 5 Hz while the substrate is moved downward by a motorized Y-translator, ensuring a fresh spot is probed with each shot. -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/In-situ.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
In situ Characterization Of Volatile And Refractory Hydrocarbons Produced By UV Photolysis Of Interstellar C2H2 Ice
[astro-ph.GA] Acetylene (C2H2) is commonly observed in star-forming regions, young stellar objects, and the Solar System.