Geoscientists from the University of Cologne have led an international study to determine the origin of the huge piece of rock that hit the Earth around 66 million years ago […]
Meteorites & Asteroids
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Comets and Asteroids, Fossils & Paleontology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Understanding The Structure Of Ancient Earth
A team of researchers has made strides in understanding the formation of massif-type anorthosites, enigmatic rocks that only formed during the middle part of Earth’s history. These plagioclase-rich igneous rock […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
The Chicxulub Impactor Was A Carbonaceous-type Asteroid From Beyond Jupiter
[University of Cologne] Scientists have pinpointed the origin and composition of the asteroid that caused the mass extinction 66 million years ago, revealing it was a rare carbonaceous asteroid from […]
![The crystal structure of nickeloan boussingaultite from Orgueil. Isolated octahedra [(Mg,Ni)(H2O)6] 2+ (turquoise), sulfate tetrahedra, (SO4) 2- (yellow) and ammonium tetrahedra, NH4 + (small blue) cross-linked by a network of hydrogen bonds (dashed lines). -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Meteoritic-Tutton-Salt.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Meteoritic Tutton Salt, A Naturally Inspired Reservoir Of Cometary And Asteroidal Ammonium
The lack of benchmark data on the real minerals, native ammonium carriers in Solar System gives rise to controversial opinions on extraterrestrial ammonium reservoirs.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Astronomers Clarify How Organic Macromolecules Are Formed
An international team of researchers led by the University of Bern has used observation-based computer modelling to find an explanation for how macromolecules can form in a short time in […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Destruction Of Interstellar Methyl Cyanide (CH3CN) Via Collisions With He+ Ions
Methyl cyanide is one of the simplest interstellar complex organic molecules, widely detected in young solar analogues, shocked regions, protoplanetary disks and comets. CH3CN can be considered a key species […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Ceres, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Mercury, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Building Materials For Water-rich Planets In The Early Solar System
Age data for certain classes of meteorite have made it possible to gain new findings on the origin of small water-rich astronomical bodies in the early solar system. These so-called […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
In 2008 A NASA/SETI Away Team Found A Freshly Fallen Piece Of Asteroid 2008TC#
An SUV-sized Asteroid 2008TC# Impacted on October 7, 2008 in the Nubian Desert, Northern Sudan: Dr. Peter Jenniskens, NASA/SETI joined Muawia Shaddas of the University of Khartoum in leading an […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
The Nucleosynthetic Fingerprint of the Outermost Protoplanetary Disk and Early Solar System Dynamics
Knowledge of the nucleosynthetic isotope composition of the outermost protoplanetary disk is critical to understand the formation and early dynamical evolution of the Solar System.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Asteroid Bennu: Properties Of The Sample Collected By OSIRIS-REx
On September 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission dropped a capsule to Earth containing ~120 g of pristine carbonaceous regolith from Bennu. We describe the delivery and initial allocation of this asteroid […]