Diffuse Interstellar Medium Archives

Disc properties resulting from ISM accretion compared to observations. Linear kernel density estimates (KDEs) for the disc mass (top), stellar accretion rate (middle) and accretion radii (bottom) versus stellar mass in our model compared to observations (red points, red dashed lines) in local star forming regions. We show results at times 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 and 5 Myr. The red points represent the distribution of 100× dust disc masses (top), stellar accretion rate (middle) in ρ Ophiuchus, Taurus, Lupus, Chameleon I and Upper Scorpius (left to right). When constructing the KDEs, model points are weighted to yield the same distribution along the stellar mass axis as in the observational samples, except in the bottom row. For comparison with the accretion radii, we show the empirically inferred relationship between CO outer disc radii as a red dashed line in the bottom panels. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Interstellar, Status Report, Stellar Cartography

Planet Formation Regulated By Galactic-scale Interstellar Turbulence

by Keith CowingMay 15, 2024May 15, 2024

Planets form from protoplanetary discs of dust and gas that surround stars younger than a few million years. The properties of these discs dictate how planets grow, determining the nature, […]

This is an artist's concept depicting the presence of buckyballs in space. Buckyballs, which consist of 60 carbon atoms arranged like soccer balls, have been detected in space before by scientists using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. The new result is the first time an electrically charged (ionized) version has been found in the interstellar medium. NASA/JPL-Caltech

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

Hubble Detected C60 Molecules aka Buckyballs

by Keith CowingNovember 25, 2023November 25, 2023

Scientists using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed the presence of electrically-charged molecules in space shaped like soccer balls, shedding light on the mysterious contents of the interstellar medium (ISM) […]