astrochemistry Archives

CH3OH/H2O column density ratio found in the literature for a wide range of clouds, YSOs and Solar System comets (see Sect 4.1 for the references). The values for molecular clouds, LYSOs and MYSOs reflect the ice composition, while the ratio was measured in the gas-phase for protoplanetary disks and comets. We used open symbols for the protoplanetary disks in which the upper/lower limit on the methanol-to-water column density ratio was estimated combining measurements taken at different wavelength ranges. The upward triangles for the HD 100546 and the IRS 48 disks indicate a lower limit, whereas the downward triangles for DG Tau A and HL Tau indicate a upper limit. The values for HL Tau are taken dividing the 3σ upper limit on the NCH3OH for the three different assumed excitation temperature in Table 2 for the water column density measured by Facchini et al. (2024). -- astro-ph.SR

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Hunting For Methanol In The Water Rich, Planet Forming Disk Aaround HL Tau

by Keith CowingMarch 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Methanol, the simplest complex organic molecule found in space, is considered a key compound necessary for the formation of chemical species of prebiotic interest. Methanol detections in protoplanetary disks remain […]

Astrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Hydrocarbon Complexity And Photochemical Shielding Of Prebiotic Feedstock Molecules In Exoplanet Atmospheres

by Keith CowingMarch 11, 2026March 11, 2026

The potential of prebiotic chemistry to propagate on an exoplanet fundamentally depends on whether the atmospheric conditions can facilitate the production of prebiotic feedstock molecules.

OSIRIS-REx Sample Return after landing -- NASA

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report

OSIRIS-REx Derived Sample Site Products Release

by Keith CowingMarch 9, 2026March 9, 2026

This is the release of the OSIRIS-REx Derived Sample Site Products Bundle. This bundle contains detailed catalogs created during the Sample Site Selection Phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Values from an experimental series in large-volume press experiments (LVP), separated arbitrarily at 9 GPa into lower (LP) and higher pressures (HP) [in circles; (9)], and our experiments (in pentagons, DH16 to DH12) show different metal-silicate partitioning behaviors. As equilibration temperature and pressure increase S, Se, and Te, partition coefficients converge to similar, less siderophile values. -- Science Advances via PubMed

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Accretion Of Volatile Elements On Earth Without The Need Of A Late Veneer

by Keith CowingMarch 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Volatile elements are essential for life development and planetary evolution. However, the timing of their delivery to terrestrial planets remains unclear. Sulfur, selenium, and tellurium are volatiles, but also siderophile […]

Additional analysis for the tentative cross-correlation signal observed for H2S. We show the cross-correlation S/N as a function of the orbital parameters of the planet. In each case, the expected parameters are marked with crosshairs. Left: The S/N is shown as a function of planetary velocity space, parameterised by 𝐾p and 𝑉sys, reproduced from the top panel of Figure 3 but with a more zoomed in colorscale. A tentative peak with a S/N of 1.7 is observed at the expected systemic velocity. Right: the time duration of the observed H2S cross-correlation signal is constrained with a value that is consistent with the literature value for the transit duration of the planet. This is measured by varying the number of spectra considered to be in-transit (𝑁in) when calculating the cross-correlation S/N, with 𝐾p fixed to that expected for this planet. -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Ground-based Atmospheric Characterization of Super-Earth L 98-59 d at High Spectral Resolution

by Keith CowingMarch 8, 2026March 8, 2026

Atmospheric characterization of exoplanets using ground-based high-resolution transmission spectroscopy has traditionally focussed on large and close-in planets, such as hot Jupiters.

The mom 0 images of the 50 km s−1 cloud. The Sgr A* is labeled with the blue star. The CND is outlined with a cyan dotted line. The CS(2 − 1), SO(23 − 12), HC3N(11 − 10) and CH3CHO(51,4 − 41,3) line images are presented. The synthesized beam is shown on the top left corner with a blue ellipse. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

ALMA Central molecular zone Exploration Survey (ACES) V: CS(2-1), SO(2_3-1_2), CH3CHO(5_1,4-4_1,3), HC3N(11-10), and H40a lines data

by Keith CowingMarch 7, 2026March 7, 2026

We present data from the ALMA Central Molecular Zone Exploration Survey (ACES) Large Program, which provides broad spectral-line and 3 mm continuum coverage of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) at […]

Geographic locations of the observatories from which photometric data were obtained. Colors correspond to observatory names and telescope apertures given in the legend. Insets indicate regions with clustered sites. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Time-Domain Photometry and Activity Evolution of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS with BHTOM

by Keith CowingMarch 7, 2026March 7, 2026

Time-domain photometric monitoring is essential for characterizing cometary evolution, particularly for rare interstellar objects with limited observing opportunities.

An artist's impression of 3I/ATLAS is shown as it passes near the Sun, illuminating one side of the comet. On the side of the comet closer to the sun, the methanol gas is shown in blue, with icy dust grains still present in the gas. On the dark side of the comet, the hydrogen cyanide is shown in orange. Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

ALMA Detects Extremely Abundant Alcohol in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

by Keith CowingMarch 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Comet 3I/ATLAS continues to make astonishing headlines, thanks to new findings from astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), of which the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy […]

A view of the outside of the OSIRIS-REx sample collector. Sample material from asteroid Bennu can be seen on the middle right. Scientists have found evidence of both carbon and water in initial analysis of this material. The bulk of the sample is located inside. Photo: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report

Multiple Formation Pathways For Amino Acids In The Early Solar System Based On Carbon And Nitrogen Isotopes In Asteroid Bennu Samples

by Keith CowingMarch 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Samples collected from the carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid Bennu and delivered to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission contain organic molecules relevant to prebiotic chemistry.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

Hayabusa2 Asteroid Samples Offer New Insights Into Conditions When The Solar System Formed

by Keith CowingMarch 4, 2026March 4, 2026

To uncover the history of our solar system, it is necessary to study the dynamic evolution of the ancient solar nebula materials.

astrochemistry

Hunting For Methanol In The Water Rich, Planet Forming Disk Aaround HL Tau

Hydrocarbon Complexity And Photochemical Shielding Of Prebiotic Feedstock Molecules In Exoplanet Atmospheres

OSIRIS-REx Derived Sample Site Products Release

Accretion Of Volatile Elements On Earth Without The Need Of A Late Veneer

Ground-based Atmospheric Characterization of Super-Earth L 98-59 d at High Spectral Resolution

ALMA Central molecular zone Exploration Survey (ACES) V: CS(2-1), SO(2_3-1_2), CH3CHO(5_1,4-4_1,3), HC3N(11-10), and H40a lines data

Time-Domain Photometry and Activity Evolution of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS with BHTOM

ALMA Detects Extremely Abundant Alcohol in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Multiple Formation Pathways For Amino Acids In The Early Solar System Based On Carbon And Nitrogen Isotopes In Asteroid Bennu Samples

Hayabusa2 Asteroid Samples Offer New Insights Into Conditions When The Solar System Formed

Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 9 November 2026: Lake Untersee Basecamp Update

Astrochemistry: Hubble and JWST Observe Star Formation in The Carina Nebula

Mapping the Historical Roots of Astrobiology: A Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) Analysis

The Agentic Observer Hackathon: Autonomous Decision-making in Simulated Astronomical Surveys

Tracking The Evolution of sub-Neptunes. I. Gyrochronology of Planet Hosting Stars