Recent transmission spectra of the temperate sub-Neptune K2-18 b obtained with JWST have attracted significant attention. Debates have quickly arisen over the interpretation of the spectral data, particularly the recent […]
astrochemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Beta Pictoris, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Observations Of Exocomets
Active small bodies in extrasolar systems, the extrasolar analogues of Solar System comets, provide insights into the orbital evolution and physical processes shaping planetary systems.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
High-resolution mid-IR Spectroscopy of SVS 13-A with EXES/SOFIA: The Surprisingly High CH3OH/H2O Ratio In The Planet-forming Zone Of A Solar Mass Protostar
Water and methanol are key components of interstellar ices and gas in star- and planet-forming regions, but direct observations of water in low-mass protostars are challenging due to atmospheric absorption.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
How Juice Came To Observe Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
No matter how much planning goes into space missions, one must always expect the unexpected. But luck favours the prepared. In July 2025, an unexpected visitor entered our Solar System, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Unique Water Release Mechanism Uncovered In Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
A research team from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has conducted high-sensitivity radio observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using the Tianma Telescope, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
JWST Edge-on Disk Ice (JEDIce): Program Overview And Ice Survey Results
The icy material within protoplanetary disks plays a central role in planet formation, yet remains poorly characterized by observations. We present 1.6-28μm spectra of five disks obtained as part of […]
![- [TOP] [X/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] for n-capture elements in the SMC. Abundance patterns are shown for Eu (leftmost panel), Zr (second leftmost) and Ba (second rightmost) and La (rightmost). Solid lines are genuine chemical evolution tracks for the reference models adopting Rubele et al. (2018) SFH (blue) and Massana et al. (2022) SFH (green), whereas shaded cyan and light-green regions are associated model predictions account for observational uncertainties (’synthetic models’). Data are from Anoardo et al. (2025, Eu) and Mucciarelli et al. (2023a, Zr, Ba, La) for SMC field stars (orange dots) and Mucciarelli et al. (2023b) for SMC GCs (black dots). Orange contour lines represent density lines of the observed stellar distributions in SMC field stars. - [BOTTOM] [X/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] for n-capture elements for the model adopting Rubele et al. (2018) SFH with increased MNS r-process production at low-metallicity (see Eq. (4)). Blue solid lines and cyan shaded regions represent genuine chemical tracks and model predictions accounting for observational uncertainties (’synthetic model’), respectively. Data are as above. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-chemical-DNA-of-the.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Chemical DNA Of The Magellanic Clouds VI. Origin And Evolution Of Neutron-capture Elements In The SMC
Context. In the context of galactic archaeology, the study of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is of crucial importance, as it represents a unique opportunity to study a nearby massive […]
![Eimission spectra of 3I/ATLAS taken with BFOSC and YFOSC. For clarity, the full spectral range is divided into three panels with different vertical offsets to emphasize specific features. The left panel highlights emission lines of Ni i (blue dashed lines) and Fe i (red dashed lines), and the CN violet band (blue shaded). The middle panel shows molecular bands of C3 (green shaded), CH (orange shaded), and C2 (red shaded), and lists the heliocentric distance for each spectrum. The right panel displays the [O i] λλ6300, 6364 doublet (green dashed lines). -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Postperihelion-Coma-Composition.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Post-perihelion Coma Composition Of The Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS From Optical Spectroscopy
We present multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS obtained from December 2025 to January 2026 (heliocentric distances 1.8 to 3.3 au). From these spectra, we derive post-perihelion production […]
![[L] Close-up of a sample particle from asteroid Bennu. Credit NASA/Scott Eckley [R] The same particle analyzed with X-ray computed tomography scanning. This specimen shows the most common types of crack networks observed in Bennu samples. One has an extensive and connect framework of curved cracks, whereas the other has sparse, straight and flat fractures. Credit NASA/Scott Eckley](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Asteroid-Bennus-rugged-surface.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Sample Return
Asteroid Bennu’s Rugged Surface Baffled NASA. We Finally Know Why
In one of the biggest surprises of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, its target asteroid, Bennu, turned out to be a jagged, rugged world covered in large boulders, with few of the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Astrochemistry Opportunity: Hubble Unexpectedly Catches Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) Breaking Up
Comet K1, whose full name is Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) – not to be confused with interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS – was not the original target of a recent Hubble study. […]