A paper recently accepted by Icarus presents findings about the Kuiper Belt Object 486958 Arrokoth, shedding new light on the preservation of volatile substances like carbon monoxide (CO) in such […]
ice
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
JWST Observations Of 13CO2 ice: Tracing The Chemical Environment And Thermal History Of Ices In Protostellar Envelopes
The structure and composition of simple ices can be modified during stellar evolution by protostellar heating. Key to understanding the involved processes are thermal and chemical tracers that can diagnose […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release
Is There Buried Water Ice At Mars’s Equator?
Windswept piles of dust, or layers of ice? ESA’s Mars Express has revisited one of Mars’s most mysterious features to clarify its composition. Its findings suggest layers of water ice […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Interstellar, Status Report
Organic Chemistry In The H2-bearing, CO-rich Interstellar Ice Layer At Temperatures Relevant To Dense Cloud Interiors
Ice chemistry in the dense, cold interstellar medium (ISM) is probably responsible for the formation of interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs).
Posted inAstrochemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Survivability Of Amorphous Ice In Comets Depends On The Latent Heat Of Crystallization Of Impure Water Ice
Comets would have amorphous ice rather than crystalline one at the epoch of their accretion. Cometary ice contains some impurities that govern the latent heat of ice crystallization, Lcry.
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Status Report
Vast Water Ice Flows On Mars Viewed From Orbit
On Aug. 18, 2023, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) captured ridged lines carved onto Mars’ landscape by the gradual movement of ice. While surface ice deposits are mostly limited to […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Press Release
Ice World Surveys: Laser-based Ice-core Sampling For Studying Climate Change
Editor’s note: as we prepare to visit ice-covered ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus – and one day to actually drill beneath their outer surface – we’re certainly going […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Investigating The Porosity Of Enceladus
The interior of Enceladus, a medium sized icy moon of Saturn hosts hydrothermal activity and exhibits tidal heating and related geyser-like activity.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Modulation Effect Of Ice Thickness Variations On Convection In Icy Ocean Worlds
It has been long puzzling whether the ice thickness variations observed on Enceladus can be sustained sorely by a polar-amplified bottom heating. The key to this question is to understand […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Interstellar, Status Report
Astrochemical Models Of Interstellar Ices: History Matters
Ice is ubiquitous in the interstellar medium. We model the formation of the main constituents of interstellar ices, including H2O, CO2 , CO, and CH3 OH.