interstellar medium Archives

Intensity maps of PN and SiO integrated in velocity towards G31.41+0.31 (Fontani et al., 2024), obtained with ALMA. (a) PN J = 2 − 1 integrated in the range 85.7–105.8 km s−1 . The white contour is the 3σ rms level of the integrated map (σ = 1.14 × 10−2 Jy km s−1 ), while the black contours are in steps of 1σ rms. The PN emission arises from two regions labelled as 1 and 2, offset from the yellow contour which is the 3 mm continuum emission (20σ rms) from the hot core. The synthesised beam is in the bottom-left corner. (b) Map of the intensity of SiO J = 2 − 1 integrated in the same velocity range as PN (colour scale). The PN emission regions identified in panel (a) are highlighted in white. Contours start at the 3σ rms level of the integrated emission (3 × 10−2 Jy km s−1 ), and correspond to 3, 15, 30, 50, 80, and 120σ. Adapted from Fontani et al. (2024). -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Observations Of Phosphorus-bearing Molecules In The Interstellar Medium

by Keith CowingJuly 30, 2024July 30, 2024

The chemistry of phosphorus (31P) in space is particularly significant due to the key role it plays in biochemistry on Earth. Utilising radio and infrared spectroscopic observations, several key phosphorus-containing […]

The velocity integrated maps and spatial averaged spectra of C4H 9–8, c-C3H2 2–1 and H13CO+ 1–0. The source names are presented in the maps and spectra. The gray scale color at the right is in units of K km s−1 . (a): The velocity integrated intensity maps for C4H 9–8 (magenta contours), c-C3H2 2–1 (blue contours) and H13CO+ 1–0 (green contours) of G001.38+20. (b): The same as Figure 1(a) but for G001.84+16. (c): Spectra of C4H at 85672.5793 MHz, c-C3H2 at 85338.8940 MHz and H13CO+ at 86754.2884 MHz in the yellow box of G001.38+20. (d): The same as Figure 1(c) but for G001.84+16. The detailed mapping information of all sources for C4H 9–8, c-C3H2 2–1 and H13CO+ 1–0 are listed in Table 4. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Spatial Distribution of C4H and c-C3H2 in Cold Molecular Cores

by Keith CowingJuly 3, 2024July 1, 2024

C4H and c-C3H2, as unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules, are important for forming large organic molecules in the interstellar medium. We present mapping observations of C4H (N=9−8) lines, c-c-C3H2 (JKa,Kb=21,2-10,1) %at 85338.894 […]

Integrated emission maps of non-blended transitions of CH3NH2 towards G358.93–0.03 MM1. The integrated emission maps of CH3NH2 are overlaid with the 1.02 mm (291.318 GHz) continuum emission map (black contour). The contour levels are at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of the peak flux. The cyan circle represents the synthesised beam of the integrated emission maps. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Detection Of Possible Glycine Precursor Molecule Methylamine Towards The Hot Molecular Core G358.93−0.03 MM1

by Keith CowingJune 25, 2024June 25, 2024

The search for the simplest amino acid, glycine (NH2CH2COOH), in the interstellar medium (ISM), has become a never-ending story for astrochemistry and astrophysics researchers because that molecule plays a possible […]

The heliosphere at the end of the simulation at 44 years in the meridional plane at y = 0 au (for the model coordinate system, see ‘Description of the numerical model’ in Methods). Contours are speed. The heliosphere shrinks to 0.22 au at the nose. It maintains a long cometary shape and exposes all the planets to the cold dense ISM material.-- Nature Astronomy

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Interstellar, Press Release

Our Solar System May Have Passed Through Dense Interstellar Clouds 2 Million Years Ago, Altering Earth’s Climate

by Keith CowingJune 11, 2024June 11, 2024

Around two million years ago, Earth was a very different place, with our early human ancestors living alongside saber-toothed tigers, mastodons, and enormous rodents. And, depending on where they were, […]

Temporal variation of the molecular abundances and 12C/13C ratios for gaseous species during the static phase in the model with the direct C-atom addition reactions (solid lines) and the base model (dashed lines). The horizontal black dashed line represents the average 12C/13C ratio of local ISM. -- astro-ph.SR

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Status Report

Carbon Isotope Fractionation of Complex Organic Molecules in Star-Forming Cores

by Keith CowingJune 6, 2024September 18, 2025

Recent high-resolution and sensitivity ALMA observations have unveiled the carbon isotope ratios (12C/13C) of Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) in a low-mass protostellar source. To understand the 12C/13C ratios of COMs, […]

The first two principal components for a data cube of H2 of NGC 3256 N. The left panels show the tomograms of each component which describes the spatial intensity of each eigenspectrum. The black crosses show the peak continuum position at this wavelength. The right panels show the eigenspectrum of each principal component. The horizontal dashed lines show where the weight is zero and the vertical dashed lines show the kinematic centre, determined by the peak wavelength of the first principal component. The first component describes the rest frame emission, while the second captures rotation of the gas. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

The Kinematics of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Galaxies revealed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) tomography with JWST/NIRSpec

by Keith CowingMay 24, 2024May 24, 2024

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic molecules which comprise the smallest particles of dust in the interstellar medium (ISM). Due to their broad/complex emission profiles, obtaining kinematics is a challenge […]

Evolution of carbon species in space with the participation of acetylene. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

The Role of Acetylene in the Chemical Evolution of Carbon Complexity

by Keith CowingMay 6, 2024May 6, 2024

Acetylene, among the multitude of organic molecules discovered in space, plays a distinct role in the genesis of organic matter.

Mass spectrum of the soluble extract from room temperature residual (C, CO, NH3, and H2O reactants). The molecular structures assigned to the peaks are shown without Na+, which is added during the ionization. -- physics.bio-ph

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Formation Of Extraterrestrial Peptides And Their Derivative

by Keith CowingMay 3, 2024May 3, 2024

The formation of protein precursors, due to the condensation of atomic carbon under the low-temperature conditions of the molecular phases of the interstellar medium, opens alternative pathways for the origin […]

mimic ISM conditions by using Coulomb crystals

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

Cold Coulomb Crystals, Cosmic Clues: Unraveling The Mysteries Of Space Chemistry

by Keith CowingApril 16, 2024April 16, 2024

While it may not look like it, the interstellar space between stars is far from empty. Atoms, ions, molecules, and more reside in this ethereal environment known as the Interstellar […]

Infrared image of the shockwave (red arc) created by the massive giant star Zeta Ophiuchi in an interstellar dust cloud. The tenuous winds of sun-like main-sequence stars are much more difficult to observe C: NASA/JPL-Caltech; NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA); C. R. O'Dell, Vanderbilt University

Astronomy & Telescopes, Epsilon Eridani, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Stellar Cartography

Stellar Winds Of Three Sun-like Stars Detected For The First Time

by Keith CowingApril 12, 2024August 13, 2025

An international research team led by a researcher from the University of Vienna has for the first time directly detected stellar winds from three Sun-like stars by recording the X-ray […]

interstellar medium

Observations Of Phosphorus-bearing Molecules In The Interstellar Medium

Spatial Distribution of C4H and c-C3H2 in Cold Molecular Cores

Detection Of Possible Glycine Precursor Molecule Methylamine Towards The Hot Molecular Core G358.93−0.03 MM1

Our Solar System May Have Passed Through Dense Interstellar Clouds 2 Million Years Ago, Altering Earth’s Climate

Carbon Isotope Fractionation of Complex Organic Molecules in Star-Forming Cores

The Kinematics of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Galaxies revealed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) tomography with JWST/NIRSpec

The Role of Acetylene in the Chemical Evolution of Carbon Complexity

Formation Of Extraterrestrial Peptides And Their Derivative

Cold Coulomb Crystals, Cosmic Clues: Unraveling The Mysteries Of Space Chemistry

Stellar Winds Of Three Sun-like Stars Detected For The First Time

NASA Establishes Mars Forward Operational Risk and Contamination Evaluation (M-FORCE) Tiger Team to Shape Mars Planetary Protection Protocols

Opportunity to Contribute to NASA DARES Community White Paper on Phototrophic Biosignatures

The Search For Life Elsewhere: Avoiding Hype and Fostering Public Understanding

Panchromatic Spectra of Nearby Low-mass and Sun-like Stars with Directly Imageable Habitable Zones

Alfred: A Flexible, User-Friendly Python Package for Exoplanet Confirmation