At centimeter wavelengths, single-dish observations have suggested that the Sagittarius (Sgr) B2 molecular cloud at the Galactic Center hosts weak maser emission from several organic molecules, including CH2NH, HNCNH, and […]
astrophysics
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Cosmic Rays Streamed Through Earth’s Atmosphere 41,000 Years Ago
Earth’s magnetic field cocoons our planet from the onslaught of cosmic radiation streaming through space while also shielding us from charged particles hurled outward by the sun. But the geomagnetic […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Cool And Data-Driven: An Exploration Of Optical Cool Dwarf Chemistry With Both Data-Driven And Physical Models
Detailed chemical studies of F/G/K — or Solar-type — stars have long been routine in stellar astrophysics, enabling studies in both Galactic chemodynamics, and exoplanet demographics.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Science Fiction, Status Report
Stellar Cartography: Using A Forest As A Neutrino Detector
The primary challenge in detecting ultrahigh energy (UHE) neutrinos with energies exceeding 1016 eV is to instrument a large enough volume to detect the extremely low flux, which falls as […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
U.S. Adaptive Optics Roadmap to Achieve Astro2020
In the recent Astro2020 Decadal Report, ”Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” Adaptive Optics (AO) was identified as a crucial technology for a variety of reasons. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Status Report
Do We Owe Our Existence To Gravitational Waves?
Two heavy elements essential to human biology are thought to have been produced by the astrophysical r-process, which occurs in neutron-rich environments: iodine is a constituent of thyroid hormones that […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Astronomy & Telescopes, Citizen Science / Open Science, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Moving Toward Stellar Cartography: AstroInformatics Recommendations for Global Cooperation
Policy Brief on “AstroInformatics, Recommendations for Global Collaboration”, distilled from panel discussions during S20 Policy Webinar on Astroinformatics for Sustainable Development held on 6-7 July 2023.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Status Report
Infrared Spectral Signatures of Nucleobases in Interstellar Ices I: Purines
The purine nucleobases adenine and guanine are complex organic molecules that are essential for life. Despite their ubiquitous presence on Earth, purines have yet to be detected in observations of […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Extinction events, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Blast From The Past: Gamma-ray Burst GRB 221009A From A Distant Exploding Star Struck Earth
An enormous burst of gamma rays, detected by ESA’s Integral space telescope, has struck Earth. The blast caused a significant disturbance in our planet’s ionosphere. Such disturbances are usually associated […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Status Report
Report: Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s
We live in a time of extraordinary discovery and progress in astronomy and astrophysics. The next decade will transform our understanding of the universe and humanity’s place in it.