![JWST-MIRI MRS spectrum of the young J0438 disk (black). The spectrum is dominated by amorphous silicate absorption and emission bands typical of a highly inclined disk configuration. A very weak CO2 ice absorption feature is tentatively detected (see Appendix A, Fig. 8) along with inner disk gas reservoir (Table 3) composed by molecular hydrogen (H2), water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), acetylene (C2H2) and the singly ionized cations of argon and neon ([Ar+], [Ne+]; for zoom-ins see Appendices B and C). The comparison between the JWST-MIRI and the Spitzer -IRS low- (SL, LL) and high- (SH) resolution spectra reveal continuum and line variability (grey and teal). The Spitzer -IRS spectra were taken from CASSIS (Lebouteiller et al. 2011, 2015) and Pascucci et al. (2013). -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MINDS-Anatomy-of-a-water-rich.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
2MASS J04381486+2611399 (or J0438) is one of the few young brown dwarfs (BD) with a highly inclined (i∼70∘) disk.
ALMA
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
ALMA Detects First-Ever Hydrogen Recombination Lines From Proplyd Disks in Densely Packed Orion Nebula Cluster
Most stars form in clusters, where hundreds to thousands of stars coevolve in proximal environmental conditions that dictate how planetary systems might develop.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
A Deep Search For Complex Organic Molecules Toward The Protoplanetary Disk Of V883 Ori
Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) in the form of prebiotic molecules are potentially building blocks of life.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Proxima Centauri, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Stellar Cartography
ALMA Shares A New View of Proxima Centauri
At a distance of just over four light years, Proxima Centauri is our nearest stellar neighbor and is known to be a very active M dwarf star.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
JWST/NIRCam Coronagraphic Search for Hidden Planets in the HD 163296 Protoplanetary Disk
HD 163296 is a Herbig Ae/Be star with multiple signposts of on-going planet formation on its disk, such as prominent rings and gaps, as well as kinematic features as identified […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
The Robust Detection And Spatial Distribution Of Acetaldehyde In Orion KL: ALMA Observations And Chemical Modeling
Despite the organic molecule inventory detected in Orion KL, acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) — one of the most ubiquitous interstellar aldehydes — has not been firmly identified with mm-wave interferometry.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Observations Of Complex Organic Molecules In The Gas Phase Of The Interstellar Medium
Thanks to the advent of sensitive and broad bandwidth instrumentation, complex organic molecules (COMs) have been found in a wide variety of interstellar environments, not only in our Galaxy but […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon And CO(2-1) Emission At 50-150 pc Scales In 70 Nearby Galaxies
Combining Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array CO(2-1) mapping and JWST near- and mid-infrared imaging, we characterize the relationship between CO(2-1) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission at ~100 pc resolution in […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Oxygen Has Been Discovered In The Most Distant Known Galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0
Two different teams of astronomers have detected oxygen in the most distant known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0. The discovery, reported in two separate studies, was made possible thanks to the Atacama Large […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan
Improved Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Ratios for CH3CN in Titan’s Atmosphere Using ALMA
Titan, Saturn’s largest satellite, maintains an atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen (N2) and methane (CH4) that leads to a complex organic chemistry.