Where did the Earth’s water come from? Although comets, with their icy nuclei, seem like ideal candidates, analyses have so far shown that their water differs from that in our […]
astrochemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry
Deuterated Forms of H+3 and Their Importance in Astrochemistry
At the low temperatures (∼10 K) and high densities (∼100,000 H2 molecules per cc) of molecular cloud cores and protostellar envelopes, a large amount of molecular species (in particular those […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Synthesis Of Complex Organic Molecules in Soft x-ray Irradiated Ices
We study the chemical evolution of H2O:CO:NH3 ice mixtures irradiated with soft X-rays, in the range 250-1250 eV. We identify many nitrogen-bearing molecules such as e.g., OCN-, NH4+ , HNCO, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Vacuum Ultraviolet Photodesorption and Photofragmentation of Formaldehyde-containing Ices
Non-thermal desorption from icy grains containing H2CO has been invoked to explain the observed H2CO gas phase abundances in ProtoPlanetary Disks (PPDs) and Photon Dominated Regions (PDRs). Photodesorption is thought […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Extension of the HCOOH and CO2 Solid-state Reaction Network During The CO Freeze-out Stage: Inclusion of H2CO
Formic acid (HCOOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are simple species that have been detected in the interstellar medium. The solid-state formation pathways of these species under experimental conditions relevant to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Solid-state Formation In A H3CCCH + OH Cocktail Under Dark Cloud Conditions
A number of recent experimental studies have shown that solid-state complex organic molecules (COMs) can form under conditions that are relevant to the CO freeze-out stage in dense clouds. In […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
The Role of N2 as a Geo-Biosignature for the Detection and Characterization of Earth-like Habitats
Since the Archean, N2 has been a major atmospheric constituent in Earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is an essential element in the building blocks of life, therefore the geobiological nitrogen cycle is […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Observations Of CH3OH And CH3CHO In A Sample of Protostellar Outflow Sources
Iram 30-m Observations towards eight protostellar outflow sources were taken in the 96-176 GHz range. Transitions of CH3OH and CH3CHO were detected in seven of them. The integrated emission of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Isocyanogen Formation In The Cold Interstellar Medium
Cyanogen (NCCN) is the simplest member of the dicyanopolyynes group, and has been proposed as a major source of the CN radical observed in cometary atmospheres. Although not detected through […]
Posted inIcy Worlds, Press Release
Dispersion Forces Stabilise Ice Coatings at Certain Gas Hydrate Interfaces Which Prevent Water Wetting
Gas hydrates formed in oceans and permafrost occur in vast quantities on Earth representing both a massive potential fuel source and a large threat in climate forecasts. They have been […]