A recent suggestion that acetamide, CH3C(O)NH2, could be readily formed on water-ice grains by the acid induced addition of water across the CN bond is now shown to be valid. […]
Interstellar
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Interstellar, Press Release
LIDA – The Leiden Ice Database For Astrochemistry
High quality vibrational spectra of solid-phase molecules in ice mixtures and for temperatures of astrophysical relevance are needed to interpret infrared observations toward protostars and background stars. Over the last […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Interstellar, Press Release
The Effects Of Local Stellar Radiation And Dust Depletion On Non-equilibrium Interstellar Chemistry
Interstellar chemistry is important for galaxy formation, as it determines the rate at which gas can cool, and enables us to make predictions for observable spectroscopic lines from ions and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Interstellar, Press Release
Mapping the aliphatic hydrocarbon content of interstellar dust in the Galactic plane
We implement a new observational method for mapping the aliphatic hydrocarbon content in the solid phase in our Galaxy, based on spectrophotometric imaging of the 3.4 μm absorption feature from […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Interstellar, Press Release
Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules In SiO-traced Massive Outflows
The interstellar medium contains dust and gas, in which at high densities and cold conditions molecules can proliferate. Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules (iCOMs) are C-bearing species that contain at least […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes
Stars That Approach Within One Parsec Of The Sun
Close encounters of stars to the Sun could affect life on Earth through gravitational perturbations of comets in the Oort cloud or exposure to ionizing radiation. By integrating orbits through […]
Posted inInterstellar, Press Release, SETI & Technosignatures
Viability Of Quantum Communication Across Interstellar Distances
The possibility of achieving quantum communication using photons across interstellar distances is examined. For this, different factors are considered that could induce decoherence of photons, including the gravitational field of […]
Posted inComets and Asteroids, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Journal articles, Press Release
Inferring Late Stage Enrichment of Exoplanet Atmospheres from Observed Interstellar Comets
The discovery of the first two interstellar comets implies that, on average, every star contributes a substantial amount of material to the galactic population by ejecting such bodies from the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, SETI & Technosignatures
On The Possibility Of An Artificial Origin For `Oumuamua
Science offers the privilege of following evidence, not prejudice. The first interstellar object discovered near Earth, Oumuamua, showed half a dozen anomalies relative to comets or asteroids in the Solar […]
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Interstellar, Press Release
The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human
Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward […]