Sugars are essential biomolecules, serving as metabolic fuels, nucleic acid backbone components, and structural or energy-storage polymers. A central question in origin-of-life research is how monosaccharides formed on the primitive […]
Glycolaldehyde
![The left panel shows a zoom of the GA and ethanol emission maps toward B0, B1 and B2 respectively, integrated over the velocity range [−10, 5] km s−1](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Glycolaldehyde-And-Ethanol-Toward.png?resize=1200%2C707&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Glycolaldehyde And Ethanol Toward The L1157 Outflow: Resolved Images And Constraints On Glycolaldehyde Formation
Two main formation routes have been proposed for interstellar complex organic molecules (iCOMs): on dust grain surfaces and in the gas phase. Observing such molecules in protostellar outflow shock regions […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Atomistic Modeling of Methyl Formate and Glycolaldehyde Formation on Interstellar Dirty Ice Mantles via a “Radical + Ice” Mechanism
Methylformate (MF) and glycolaldehyde (GA) are two primogenital organic molecules detected in both cold and warm regions of the interstellar medium (ISM).
Posted inAstrochemistry, 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
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.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation During Aqueous Alteration in Small Bodies: The Effects of Compositions of Starting Solutions
Organic compounds, such as amino acids, are essential for the origin of life, and they may have been delivered to the prebiotic Earth from extra-terrestrial sources, such as carbonaceous chondrites.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Identification Of The Simplest Sugar-like Molecule Glycolaldehyde Towards The Hot Molecular Core G358.93-0.03 MM1
Glycolaldehyde (CH2OHCHO) is the simplest monosaccharide sugar in the interstellar medium, and it is directly involved in the origin of life via the ‘RNA world’ hypothesis.
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Status Report
Glycolaldehyde Formation Mediated By Interstellar Amorphous Ice: A Computational Study
Glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO) is the most straightforward sugar detected in the Interstellar Medium (ISM) and participates in the formation pathways of molecules fundamental to life, red such as ribose and derivatives.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Mars Once Had Salty Oceans – Just Like Earth
On the same day that NASA was announcing the apparent presence of liquid water near the surface of Mars, another research team announced that Mars once had salty oceans like […]