[astro-ph.EP] This paper presents the second part of our multi-technique observational study of comet 67P during its 2021-2022 apparition. While the first paper focused on photometry and spectroscopy, here we […]
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Activity And Composition of Periodic Comets 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and 103P/Hartley 2 At Two Different Perihelion Passages
Through photometry and spectroscopy, we studied the evolution of the activity and chemical composition of comet 67P during its 2025 and 2021 perihelion passages and of comet 103P during its […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
CO and N2 Produced from H2O, CO2, and NH3 Cometary Ice Analogs
Hypervolatile species such as carbon monoxide (CO) and molecular nitrogen (N2) have been detected in comets, and could be used to constrain comet formation temperature conditions if their presence is […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Nascent Chemical Complexity In Prestellar Core IRAS 16293E: Complex Organics And Deuterated Methanol
Prestellar cores represent early sites of low-mass (M ≤ few M⊙) star and planet formation and provide insight into initial chemical conditions of complex organic molecules (COMs).
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Interstellar, Status Report
On the Abiotic Origin of Dimethyl Sulfide: Discovery of DMS in the Interstellar Medium
Following the discovery of dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3, DMS) signatures in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, we report the first detection of this organosulfur species in the interstellar medium, during the exploration of an […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Refractory-to-ice ratio in Comet 67P: Implications on the Composition of the Comet-forming Region of the Protoplanetary Disk
Comets, asteroids, and other small bodies are thought to be remnants of the original planetesimal population of the Solar System. As such, their physical, chemical, and isotopic properties hold crucial […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Evidence For Abiotic Dimethyl Sulfide In Cometary Matter
Technological progress related to astronomical observatories such as the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) allows searching for signs of life beyond our Solar System, namely in the form […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Localised Ejection Of Dust and Chunks on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Testing How Comets Work
We extend an existing thermophysical activity model of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to include pressure buildup inside the pebbles making up the nucleus.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
A Broad Set of Solar and Cosmochemical Data Indicates High C-N-O Abundances For Our Solar System
We examine the role of refractory organics as a major C carrier in the outer protosolar nebula and its implications for the compositions of large Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Varying Water Activity and Momentum Transfer on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko From its non-gravitational Forces and Torques
We investigate the ability of a simultaneous fitting of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s non-gravitational forces, torques and total water-outgassing rate, as observed by Rosetta, to constrain complex thermophysical models of cometary material.