In recent years, several aromatic molecules (benzene-based rings) have been detected in the cold molecular cloud TMC-1, with its CN-derivative, benzonitrile (c-C6H5CN), also identified in other nearby cold sources.
astrochemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Status Report
The Science From Asteroid Sample Return Missions
To date, three samples from near-Earth asteroids have been delivered to Earth by Japan’s Hayabusa (2010) and Hayabusa2 (2020) missions, and the United States OSIRIS-REx mission (2023).
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
The Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Was Born Somewhere Much Different From Our Solar System
Less than a year ago, astronomers discovered a comet soaring through our sky that was not from our solar system.
![Overview of the MIRI-MRS spectra of the three T Tauri disks along with ALMA views of their dust emission for illustrative purposes. The mid-IR emission is dominated by a dust continuum with particularly flat silicate features in DL Tau and V1094 Sco, revealing large micron-sized grains with a prominent silica feature. The 13-16 µm region shows a wealth of molecular features with a prominent C2H2, HCN, and CO2 features outlined in Fig. 2. In addition the pure rotational lines of H2 and the Ne [II] line are seen in all three disks. -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MINDS.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report
MINDS: Intertwined Evolution Of Dust And Gas In Large Planet-forming Disks. A Diversity Driven By Halted Pebble Drift?
(Abridged) We aim to investigate the inner regions of large and massive disks orbiting T Tauri stars, thought to be progenitors of systems with wide-orbit planets and possible cases of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
LMA Observations Of Acetone In Hot Cores
Acetone (CH3COCH3) is a ubiquitous interstellar molecule, and serves as an important tracer of hot core chemistry. We conducted a line survey of acetone and its precursor acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) towards […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
The Impact Of Hydrogen Atom Tunneling On Aromatic Chemistry In TMC-1
Hydrogen atom tunneling likely plays a substantial role in the gas-phase chemistry of astrochemical environments. To determine the potential effect that it has on the chemical modeling of aromatic molecules, […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan
Feeling the Pressure: Effects of Formation Pressure on the Physical Properties of Titan Haze Analogs
The Cassini-Huygens mission detected large negative ions in Titan’s ionosphere at pressures as low as 10−6 torr. These ions ultimately polymerize to form Titan’s complex organic haze particles, which are […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
ALMA Reveals Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Formed in a Far Colder World Than Our Own
New observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have yielded the first-ever measurement of deuterated water — also known as semi-heavy water — in an interstellar object. The discovery […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
The Reaction Between Atomic Carbon And Molecular Nitrogen As A Source Of Cyanamide And Carbodiimide On Interstellar Ices
Reactions occurring on the ice-covered surfaces of interstellar dust grains are considered to be among the most important sources of complex species in the interstellar medium. Despite this, molecules such […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Secular Light Curve of Exocomet 3I/ATLAS, and its Location on a Comet Evolutionary Diagram
In this work we will create the Secular Light Curve (SLC) of exocomet 3I/ATLAS, using the SLC-Methodology (Ferrin 2010-2023). The SLCs give a throve of new information and allow the […]