We demonstrate for the first time that Galactic cosmic rays with energies as high as 1e10 eV can trigger a cascade of low-energy (< 20 eV) secondary electrons that could […]
Comet
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Status Report
Comet 81P/Wild 2: A Record of the Solar System’s Wild Youth
NASA’s Stardust mission returned rocky material from the coma of comet 81P/Wild 2 (pronounced “Vilt 2”) to Earth for laboratory study on January 15, 2006. Comet Wild 2 contains volatile […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Cliff Collapse On Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko – I. Aswan
The Aswan cliff on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko collapsed on 2015 July 10. Thereby, relatively pristine comet material from a depth of ~12 m was exposed at the surface. Observations of the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) Call For Applications For 2024 Membership
The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) is seeking applications for open positions starting in 2024! Deadline for applications is December 8, 2023.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Optical Spectroscopy Of Comets
Comets are pristine remnants of the Solar system, composed of dust and ice. They remain inactive and undetectable for most of their orbit due to low temperatures. However, as they […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Panspermia, Press Release
Bouncing Comets Could Deliver Building Blocks For Life To Exoplanets
How did the molecular building blocks for life end up on Earth? One long-standing theory is that they could have been delivered by comets. Now, researchers from the University of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Comets 12CO+ and 13CO+ Fluorescence Models For Measuring The 12C/13C Isotopic Ratio In CO+
Context: CO is an abundant species in comets, creating CO+ ion with emission lines that can be observed in the optical spectral range. A good modeling of its fluorescence spectrum […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Status Report
Can Comets Deliver Prebiotic Molecules To Rocky Exoplanets?
In this work we consider the potential of cometary impacts to deliver complex organic molecules and the prebiotic building blocks required for life to rocky exoplanets. Numerical experiments have demonstrated […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Volatiles In The H2O and CO2 Ices Of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) was the first mission that accompanied a comet over a substantial fraction of its orbit.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Status Report
A Race Against The Clock: Constraining The Timing Of Cometary Bombardment Relative To Earth’s Growth
Comets are considered a potential source of inner solar system volatiles, but the timing of this delivery relative to that of Earth’s accretion is still poorly understood.