[Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)] Sugars are key biomolecules in living organisms, as they form the backbone of DNA and RNA and play a fundamental role in metabolic processes. In […]
interstellar ices
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Interstellar Ices as Carriers of Supernova Material to the Early Solar System
Planetary materials show systematic variations in their nucleosynthetic isotope compositions that resonate with orbital distance. The origin of this pattern remains debated, limiting how these isotopic signatures can be used […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Astrochemistry: Mysterious Interstellar Icy Objects And Organic Molecules
Organic molecules that serve as the building blocks of life are believed to form in space, but their exact formation sites and delivery mechanisms to planets remain a major mystery […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report
Hybrid Approach Predicts A Lower Binding Energy For Benzene On Water Ice
In this paper we provide a highly accurate value for the binding energy of benzene to proton-ordered crystalline water ice (XIh), as a model for interstellar ices.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Hunt For Complex Cyanides In Protostellar Ices With JWST: Tentative Detection Of CH3CN And C2H5CN
Nitrogen-bearing complex organic molecules have been commonly detected in the gas phase but not yet in interstellar ices. This has led to the long-standing question of whether these molecules form […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Status Report
The Role of Low-energy (< 20 eV) Secondary Electrons in the Extraterrestrial Synthesis of Prebiotic Molecules
We demonstrate for the first time that Galactic cosmic rays with energies as high as 1e10 eV can trigger a cascade of low-energy (< 20 eV) secondary electrons that could […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Cracking the Puzzle of CO2 Formation on Interstellar Ices. Quantum Chemical and Kinetic Study of the CO + OH -> CO2 + H Reaction
CO2 is one of the dominant components of the interstellar ice. Recent observations show CO2 exists more abundantly in polar (H2O-dominated) ice than in apolar (H2O-poor) ice. CO2 ice formation […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Interstellar, Status Report
Resonant Infrared Irradiation Of CO And CH3OH Interstellar Ices
Solid-phase photo-processes involving icy dust grains greatly affect the chemical evolution of the interstellar medium by leading to the formation of complex organic molecules and by inducing photodesorption.