New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Earth’s ancient atmosphere may have acted as a global chemical factory, naturally producing sulfur-containing molecules that would […]
Mass Spectrometry
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Laser Ablation Sampling With Low‐Power Plasma: A LA‐MIP‐MS Instrument for Spaceflight
Rationale Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a commonly used ion source for mass spectrometry‐based chemical analysis of a wide range of materials. Traditional ICP ion sources use high power (> 1000 W) […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Sample Preparation for MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry of Model Prebiotic Reactions in Simulated Ocean World Environments
The prebiotic potential of ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus, while not well constrained, is vital in the search for potential life elsewhere.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
New Analytical Methodology to Reveal Biosignatures on Mars and Ocean Worlds
Terrestrial analog environments and their microbial communities are key elements to prepare for the exploration of extraterrestrial planetary environments that potentially sustained, or even may still sustain, the (bio)chemistry necessary […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Laboratory Studies Of The Clathrate Hydrate Formation In The Carbon Dioxide-Water Mixtures At Interstellar Conditions
This study investigates the formation of carbon dioxide clathrate hydrates under conditions simulating interstellar environments, a process of significant astrophysical and industrial relevance.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Stable Nitrogen Isotope Analysis of Amino Acids by Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry: Application for Extraterrestrial Samples
Background Obtaining isotopic data on soluble organic compounds, such as amino acids, in extraterrestrial samples is crucial for understanding their origins, prebiotic chemistry, and potential contamination. Conventional GC‐IRMS requires grams […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Replicating The Flyby Sampling Of Salty Ocean World Ice Grains Using Impact Ionization Mass Spectrometry
The Europa Clipper mission will arrive at the Jovian system in 2030 and analyze ice grains sourced from the icy material on its surface using impact mass spectrometry, which will […]
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: New Technique Expands Tissues So Hundreds Of Biomolecules Can Be Seen Inside Cells
Editor’s note: as we send increasingly sophisticated astrobiology probes – to more places – often at much greater distances – they will need to be able to do more and […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Revision of the Structure of Scytonemin Imine and Its Relationship to Scytonemin: Chromism and Implications for Astrobiology and Cyanobacterial Adaptability
Scytonemin, a UV-protective pigment produced by cyanobacteria, is essential for microbial survival under extreme solar radiation.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report
Ly-α Processing of Solid-state Ethanolamine: Potential Precursors to Sugar and Peptide Derivatives
Ethanolamine (EA), a key component of phospholipids, has recently been detected in the interstellar medium within molecular clouds.