Many interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs) are believed to be produced on the surfaces of icy grains at low temperatures. Atomic carbon is considered responsible for the skeletal evolution processes, […]
Interstellar
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
A Constant N2H+(1-0)-to-HCN(1-0) Ratio On Kiloparsec Scales
Nitrogen hydrides such as NH3 and N2H+ are widely used by Galactic observers to trace the cold dense regions of the interstellar medium.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Oxygen-bearing Organic Molecules In Comet 67P’s Dusty Coma: First Evidence For Abundant Heterocycles
The puzzling complexity of terrestrial biomolecules is driving the search for complex organic molecules in the Interstellar Medium (ISM) and serves as a motivation for many in situ studies of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Interstellar, Press Release
Size Determines The Stickiness Of Cosmic Dust Aggregates
Microparticle dust aggregates, which are thought to play a role in the formation of new planets, are less likely to stick together after a collision when the aggregates are larger.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Interstellar, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Chasing Nomadic Worlds: A New Class of Deep Space Missions
Nomadic worlds, i.e., objects not gravitationally bound to any star(s), are of great interest to planetary science and astrobiology. They have garnered attention recently due to constraints derived from microlensing […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
First Glycine Isomer Detected In The Interstellar Medium: Glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH)
We report the first detection in the interstellar medium of a C2H5O2N isomer: syn-glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH).
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Interstellar, Status Report
MINDS. Abundant Water And Varying C/O Across The Disk Of Sz 98 As Seen By JWST/MIRI
MIRI/MRS on board the JWST allows us to probe the inner regions of protoplanetary disks. Here we examine the disk around the classical T Tauri star Sz 98, which has […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Laboratory And Astronomical Discovery Of The Cyanovinyl Radical H2CCCN
We report the first laboratory and interstellar detection of the alpha-cyano vinyl radical (H2CCCN). This species was produced in the laboratory by an electric discharge of a gas mixture of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Interstellar, Status Report
Discovery Of The Elusive Carbonic Acid (HOCOOH) In Space
After a quarter century since the detection of the last interstellar carboxylic acid, acetic acid (CH3COOH), we report the discovery of a new one, the cis-trans form of carbonic acid […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Cracking the Puzzle of CO2 Formation on Interstellar Ices. Quantum Chemical and Kinetic Study of the CO + OH -> CO2 + H Reaction
CO2 is one of the dominant components of the interstellar ice. Recent observations show CO2 exists more abundantly in polar (H2O-dominated) ice than in apolar (H2O-poor) ice. CO2 ice formation […]