Electron irradiation of water-rich ices plays a significant role in initiating the chemical and physical processes on the surface of airless icy bodies in radiation environments such as Europa and […]
comets
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Status Report
An Impact-free Mechanism To Deliver Water To Terrestrial Planets And Exoplanets
To date, the most widespread scenario is that the Earth originated without water and was brought to the planet mainly due to impacts by wet asteroids coming from further out […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Unraveling the Interface Chemistry Between HCN And Cosmic Silicates By The Interplay Of Infrared Spectroscopy And Quantum Chemical Modeling
Understanding the interaction between hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and silicate surfaces is crucial for elucidating the prebiotic processes occurring on interstellar grain cores, as well as in cometary and meteoritic matrices.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Press Release
The Origins Of Dark Comets
Up to 60% of near-Earth objects could be dark comets, mysterious asteroids that orbit the sun in our solar system that likely contain or previously contained ice and could have […]
Posted inCryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Tricorder Tech: Using Solid State Quantum Magnetometers To Seek Out Water Worlds
“Follow the water!” The solar system is full of water in different states, from the Sun’s water vapor to the ice of Pluto and beyond. Water is not only linked […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Press Release
Sulfur Molecules From Space Seeded Early Life On Earth
Important nutrients for the first living organisms on Earth may have come from space, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Press Release, Sample Return
Phobos Photometric Properties From Mars Express HRSC Observations (Comet Capture?)
This study aims to analyze Phobos’ photometric properties using Mars Express mission observations to support the Martian Moons eXploration mission.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Status Report
The Extent of Formation of Organic Molecules in the Comae of Comets Showing Relatively High Activity
Comets are a rich reservoir of complex organic molecules. Ground and space-based observatories have recently greatly enhanced the cometary molecular inventory.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Experimental Study Of The Binding Energy Of NH3 On Different Types Of Ice And Its Impact On The Snow Line Of NH3 And H2O
N-bearing molecules (like N2H+ or NH3) are excellent tracers of high-density, low-temperature regions like dense cloud cores and could shed light into snowlines in protoplanetary disks and the chemical evolution […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Status Report
Laboratory Experiments To Understand Comets
In order to understand the origin and evolution of comets, one must decipher the processes that formed and processed cometary ice and dust. Cometary materials have diverse physical and chemical […]