Formic Acid Archives - Astrobiology

Sensitivity analysis of our model to the oxygen atom diffusion energy for CO2 ice (dashed lines) and FA (suming c-t abundances). Values are represented with respect to H2O column density- The difussion Ediff energy is defined from the Ediff/Ebin parameter in our models. Ediff/Ebin is set to 0.25, 0.30 and 0.40 in those models. The pale blue zone represents the observationally constrained abundances of CO2 (Boogert et al. 2015; McClure et al. 2023) and the pale yellow zone represent the same for FA (Boogert et al. 2015; Rocha et al. 2024). We assume that FA and HCOO– abundances sum. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Impact events, Interstellar, Status Report

Piecing Together Formic Acid Isomerism In Dark Clouds. Detection Of Cis-formic Acid In TMC-1 And Astrochemical Modeling

by Keith CowingSeptember 25, 2025

The presence of molecular isomers in interstellar environments has become a topic of growing interest within the astrochemical community.

Acetaldehyde integrated intensity maps at Band 7 (left) and Band 4 (right). The synthesized beam is shown in the bottom left corner. The contour levels are (5,10) × sigma (σ=0.07 Jy/beam km/s) and the contour derived from the Band 7 data is overlaid on the Band 4 map for comparison. Green dots mark the AA peak positions determined from a 2-D Gaussian fitting of the map in the left panel. Velocity vectors representing the proper motion of source I and n are shown as gray arrows. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

The Robust Detection And Spatial Distribution Of Acetaldehyde In Orion KL: ALMA Observations And Chemical Modeling

by Keith CowingMarch 27, 2025March 27, 2025

Despite the organic molecule inventory detected in Orion KL, acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) — one of the most ubiquitous interstellar aldehydes — has not been firmly identified with mm-wave interferometry.

hydroxylamine -- Wikipedia

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Hydroxylamine in Astrophysical Ices: IR Spectra and Cosmic Ray-Induced Radiolytic Chemistry

by Keith CowingJanuary 31, 2025September 18, 2025

Gas-phase hydroxylamine (NH2OH) has recently been detected within dense clouds in the interstellar medium. However, it is also likely present within interstellar ices, as well as on the icy surfaces […]

Astronomers identified icy compounds made of complex organic molecules like alcohol and likely acetic acid, using MIRI, which was managed through launch by JPL.

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Webb Space Telescope Finds Ethanol And Other Organic Molecules Surrounding Young Protostars

by Keith CowingMarch 13, 2024March 13, 2024

What do margaritas, vinegar, and ant stings have in common? They contain chemical ingredients that NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has identified surrounding two young protostars known as IRAS 2A […]

asequential

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Interstellar, Status Report

A Sequential Acid-base (SAB) Mechanism In The Interstellar Medium: The Emergence Of Cis Formic Acid In Dark Molecular Clouds

by Keith CowingJanuary 19, 2023January 19, 2023

The abundance ratios between isomers of a COM observed in the ISM provides valuable information about the chemistry and physics of the gas and eventually, the history of molecular clouds.