The interaction of carbon atoms with solid carbon monoxide (CO) is a fundamental process in astrochemistry, influencing the formation of complex organic molecules in interstellar environments.
carbon monoxide
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
How Microbes Help Detoxify Earth’s Atmosphere
Melbourne researchers have discovered crucial new information about how microbes consume huge amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) and help reduce levels of this deadly gas.
![RGB compilation in the Cygnus X region covering the footprint that we surveyed; in red is the CGPS 1.4 GHz continuum (Taylor et al. 2003), green is MSX 8 µm PAH emission Schneider et al. (2006), and blue is 13CO (1-0) tracing (some of the) molecular gas (Schneider et al. 2010). Left: The numbers enclosed by a circle in black indicate the ‘DR’ continuum sources identified in 5 GHz observations by Downes & Rinehart (1966), which are mostly thermal H ii regions, except for DR3 and DR4 that make up the supernova remnant γ-Cygni. Dotted circles show the Cyg OB2 association and open clusters NGC 6910 and NGC 6913. The region at ℓ > 80◦ commonly referred to as Cyg X North and at ℓ < 80◦ (also typically at lower latitudes) as Cyg X South are also indicated. Right: Contours of velocity-integrated C273α (moment 0), drawn at [3, 5.5, 8, ...28]σ. C273α is detected from 75% of the mapped region. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Cold-Dark-Gas-in-Cygnus-X.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report
Cold Dark Gas in Cygnus X: The First Large-scale Mapping of Low-frequency Carbon Recombination Lines
Understanding the transition from atomic gas to molecular gas is critical to explain the formation and evolution of molecular clouds.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Scorching Storms On Distant Worlds Revealed In New Detail By JWST
Astronomers have created the most detailed weather report so far for two distant worlds beyond our own solar system.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The JWST Early Release Science Program for Direct Observations of Exoplanetary Systems II: A 1 to 20 Micron Spectrum of the Planetary-Mass Companion VHS 1256-1257 b
We present the highest fidelity spectrum to date of a planetary-mass object. VHS 1256 b is a <20 MJup widely separated (∼8 arcsec, a = 150 au), young, planetary-mass companion […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Interstellar, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
JWST Sheds Light On The Structure Of Interstellar Water Ice
Using the JWST, a team of researchers including Paola Caselli, Barbara Michela Giuliano and Basile Husquinet from MPE, have probed deep into dense cloud cores, revealing details of interstellar ice […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extinction events, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Carboxydovores From The Pseudomonadota Colonise Volcanic Soils During Succession
Carbon monoxide (CO) degrading microorganisms are present in volcanic deposits throughout succession, with vegetation and soil influencing the communities present. The carboxydovores are a subset of CO degraders that use […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Astrochemistry Update: First of Its Kind Detection Made in Striking New Webb Image
For the first time, a phenomenon astronomers have long hoped to directly image has been captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). In this stunning image of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Ancient Ice May Still Exist In Distant Space Objects
A paper recently accepted by Icarus presents findings about the Kuiper Belt Object 486958 Arrokoth, shedding new light on the preservation of volatile substances like carbon monoxide (CO) in such […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Interstellar, Press Release
Astrochemistry: Dark Galactic Region “The Brick” Explained With Webb Telescope Findings
In a recent study led by University of Florida astronomer Adam Ginsburg, groundbreaking findings shed light on a mysterious dark region at the center of the Milky Way. The turbulent […]