ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Electrical Properties of Icy World Oceans from Laboratory Measurements

by Keith Cowing

Many icy bodies in the Solar System are hypothesized to harbor subsurface liquid-water oceans, with Jupiter’s moon Europa among the most promising for astrobiology research. NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will […]

Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report

Analytical Characterization Approaches to Measure Prebiotically Relevant Compounds in High Salinity Impact-Induced Hydrothermal Systems

by Keith Cowing

Experiments exploring potential emergence-of-life chemistry in a laboratory setting critically depend on simulating realistic early-Earth environments. Such experimental conditions include the implementation of controlled high temperatures and pressures, anoxic gas […]

Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Supramolecular Interactions of Organometallic Origin Facilitating Astrochemical Reactions: An Electronic Structure Study Featuring Metal Cyanides versus Metal Isocyanides

by Keith Cowing

This work highlights how organometallic chemistry and supramolecular interactions can together drive astrochemically relevant reactions. For this purpose, MCN and MNC species (M = Mg(II), Mg(I), and Al(I)) detected in […]

Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Opportunities and Limitations of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Astrobiology

by Keith Cowing

For decades, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been utilized as a powerful tool in various scientific disciplines, most prominently in chemistry, to determine molecular structures or monitor reactions.

Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Calcium Carbonate As A Potential Template for the Origin of Life

by Keith Cowing

Unraveling life’s origin involves finding environments that can form and preserve organic molecules, with hydrothermal systems offering a likely setting.

Gift this article