Venus, often called Earth’s twin, is in fact a planet of extremes. Beneath its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere lie crushing surface temperatures and dense clouds of sulfuric acid. While the […]
Cosmic Dust
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return
This Student Made Cosmic Dust In Her Lab. What She Found Could Help Us Understand How Life Started On Earth
A Sydney PhD student has recreated a tiny piece of the Universe inside a bottle in her laboratory, producing cosmic dust from scratch. The results shed new light on how […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Interstellar, Press Release
Cosmic Dust Necessary To Spark Life In Space
Tiny particles of space dust could be vital for more quickly creating the complex molecules needed for life, scientists say.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Icy Worlds, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Space Dust Reveals Arctic Ice Conditions Before Satellite Imaging
Arctic sea ice has declined by more than 42% since 1979, when regular satellite monitoring began. As the ice grows thinner and recedes, more water is exposed to sunlight.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Space Dust Is Spongier Than We Thought
Cosmic dust – the tiny particles that help form stars, planets and the chemical building blocks of life – might be much spongier and fluffier than long assumed, according to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Cosmic Dust As A Prerequisite For The Formation Of Complex Organic Molecules In Space?
In cold, dense astrophysical environments dust grains are mixed with molecular ices. Chemistry in those dust/ice mixtures is determined by diffusion and reaction of molecules and radicals.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Astrochemistry: Hubble Studies the Tarantula Nebula’s Outskirts
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features a dusty yet sparkling scene from one of the Milky Way’s satellite galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Large Magellanic Cloud is a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Interstellar, Status Report
Accurate Sticking Coefficient Calculation for Carbonaceous Dust Growth Through Accretion and Desorption in Astrophysical Environments
Context. Cosmic dust is ubiquitous in astrophysical environments, where it significantly influences the chemistry and the spectra. Dust grains are likely to grow through the accretion of atoms and molecules […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Chemistry Analysis for the Origin of Life in Protoplanetary Disks
The primary purpose of this review is to present chemistry analysis. In this theoretical study exploring the origin of life, the main argument is that life on Earth may not […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Press Release
Do We Have Cosmic Dust To Thank For Life On Earth?
Before life existed on Earth, there had to be chemistry to form organic molecules from the chemical elements nitrogen, sulphur, carbon and phosphorus.