Binding energy (BE) is a critical parameter in astrochemical modeling, governing the retention of species on interstellar dust grains and their subsequent chemical evolution.
astro-ph.SR
![CN production versus heliocentric distance: Blue circles show VLT/X-shooter measurements of 3I/ATLAS (this work); the black solid and gray dashed curves are power–law fits to the 3I data only, giving Q(CN) ∝ r −9.38±1.2 h (weighted) and Q(CN) ∝ r −9.14±1.57 h (unweighted), respectively. Colored symbols compare with Solar–system comets compiled from the literature, grouped by dynamical class as in the legend; green squares mark measurements for 2I/Borisov. The left axis gives log10[Q(CN)/atoms s−1 ] and the bottom axis in log-scale the heliocentric distance rh (au). The right axis shows an approximate equilibrium surface temperature T(rh). Horizontal dashed lines indicate sublimation thresholds for CO, NH3, CO2, and H2O. Other comets references: Manfroid et al. (2021), Opitom et al. (2016), Opitom et al. (2017), Opitom et al. (2019), Fitzsimmons et al. (2019), Rauer et al. (2003) and S -- astro-ph.SR](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VLT-Observations-Of-Interstellar.png?resize=1200%2C785&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
VLT Observations Of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS II. From quiescence To Glow: Dramatic Rise Of Ni I Emission And Incipient CN Outgassing At Large Heliocentric Distances
We report VLT spectroscopy of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) from rh≃4.4 to 2.85 au using X-shooter (300-550 nm, R≃3000) and UVES (optical, R≃35k−80k).
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Missing Giant: Do FAST Spectroscopic Observations Reveal a Scarcity of Large Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Astronomical Environments?
The search for large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with over 100 carbon atoms is crucial to resolving the origin of unidentified infrared emission (UIE) bands.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Detailed Microwave Continuum Spectra from Bright Protoplanetary Disks in Taurus
We present new observations that densely sample the microwave (4-360 GHz) continuum spectra from eight young systems in the Taurus region.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release, Stellar Cartography
Rotation Of Young Solar-type Stars As Seen By Gaia And K2
Accurate surface rotation measurements are crucial to estimate stellar ages and improve our understanding of stellar rotational evolution.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Exoplanet Atmospheric Escape Observations with the Habitable Worlds Observatory
The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 highlights the importance of advancing research focused on discovering and characterizing habitable worlds.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
The Orbital Eccentricity-Radius Relation For Planets Orbiting M Dwarfs
The orbital eccentricity-radius relation for small planets is indicative of the predominant dynamical sculpting processes during late-stage orbital evolution.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
CO Desorption From Interstellar Icy Grains Induced By IR Excitation Of Superhydrogenated PAHs
Infrared (IR) radiation dominates dense, interstellar clouds, yet its effect on icy grains remains largely unexplored.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Mars, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
A Systematic Study Of Hot Oxygen Production And Escape From Martian Atmosphere In Response To Enhanced EUV Irradiance From Solar Flares
The study of the evolution of Martian atmosphere and its response to EUV irradiation is an extremely important topic in planetary science. One of the dominant effects of atmospheric losses […]
![Distribution of [Fe/H] versus age for the stars of our sample, distinguished by the possible subgroups. -- astro-ph.SR](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Signatures-Of-Planets-And-Galactic.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Analog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Signatures Of Planets And Galactic Subpopulations In Solar Analogs. Precise Chemical Abundances With Neural Networks
The aim of this work is to obtain precise atmospheric parameters and chemical abundances automatically for solar twins and analogs to find signatures of exoplanets, as well as to assess […]