Interstellar Objects (ISO) passing through our Solar System offer a rare opportunity to probe the physical and chemical processes involved in solid body and planet formation in extrasolar systems. The […]
astrochemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Photo-processing Of Astro-PAHs
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are key species in astrophysical environments in which vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photons are present, such as star-forming regions. The interaction with these VUV photons governs the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Fossil Ice Found In A Meteorite Is The First Direct Evidence Of Ice In Asteroids
High-resolution scans of a 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite have revealed ‘fossilised’ ice. It is the first direct evidence of early asteroids incorporating frozen water into their matrix when they formed. Some asteroids […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Astronomers Detect Gas Molecules in Comet from Another Star
An international team of astronomers have made a historic discovery using the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), detecting gas molecules in a comet which has tumbled into our solar system from […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Theory Of Chemical Evolution Of Molecule Compositions In The Universe
Chemical evolution is essential in understanding the origins of life. We present a theory for the evolution of molecule masses and show that small molecules grow by random diffusion and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Evidence of Ammonium Salts In Comet 67P As Explanation For The Nitrogen Depletion In Cometary Comae
Cometary comae are generally depleted in nitrogen. The main carriers for volatile nitrogen in comets are NH3 and HCN. It is known that ammonia readily combines with many acids like […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
New Insights On Prebiotic Chemistry From Plasma Kinetics
The famous Miller-Urey experiment, which provides essential information on the prebiotic synthesis of the molecules of life, still has many obscure points. In this paper, we want to suggest a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Chemistry In The Turbulent Interstellar Medium
Over two hundred molecules have been discovered in space, some (like Buckminsterfullerene) very complex with carbon atoms. Besides being intrinsically interesting, these molecules radiate away heat, helping giant clouds of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Astrochemistry As A Tool To Follow The Protostellar Evolution: The Class I Stage
The latest developments in astrochemistry have shown how some molecular species can be used as a tool to study the early stages of the solar-type star formation process. Among them, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
First Detection of Sugars in Meteorites Gives Clues to Origin of Life
An international team has found sugars essential to life in meteorites. The new discovery adds to the growing list of biologically important compounds that have been found in meteorites, supporting […]