![Integrated maps of the observed strip. The left map shows the gas column density derived from the Hi-GAL observations. The circles there indicate the position and effective beam size of the spectra discussed in Fig. 4. The following maps give the line-integrated intensities of CO 2-1, 13CO 2-1, C18O 2-1, and [C i] 1-0 transitions. Colors represent the integrated intensity for the main velocity component from 11 to 17 km s−1 , black and white contours the integral over the component from 18 to 22 km s−1 , and orange and red contours the integral from 34 to 38 km s−1 . The zero position in the plots is at R.A.(J2000)=7:10:39.8, Dec(J2000)=-11:27:09. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Extended-Atomic-Carbon-Around-Molecular.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Models predict that atomic carbon occurs at the surface and in the process of the formation of molecular clouds, making its fine structure transitions a diagnostic of cloud formation.
Milky Way
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
The SPHEREx Target List of Ice Sources (SPLICES)
One of the primary objectives of the SPHEREx mission is to understand the origin of molecules such as H2O, CO2, and other volatile compounds at the early stages of planetary […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Astrochemistry: Hubble Studies the Tarantula Nebula’s Outskirts
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features a dusty yet sparkling scene from one of the Milky Way’s satellite galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud. The Large Magellanic Cloud is a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Astrochemistry: Webb Watches Carbon-Rich Dust Shells Form, Expand in Star System
Astronomers have long tried to track down how elements like carbon, which is essential for life, become widely distributed across the universe. Now, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has examined […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Planet-forming Discs Lived Longer In The Early Universe
In 2003, Hubble spotted a massive planet around a very old star, almost as old as the Universe. This implied that some planet formation happened when our Universe was very […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Radiation, Status Report
Impacts of UV Radiation From An AGN On Planetary Atmospheres And Consequences For Galactic Habitability
We present a study of the effects of ultraviolet (UV) emission from active galactic nuclei (AGN) on the atmospheric composition of planets and potential impact on life. It is expected […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Stellar Cartography
Stellar Cartography: The First Close-up Picture Of A Star Outside Our Galaxy
“For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way,” says Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Dust Extinction-curve Variation In The Translucent Interstellar Medium Is Driven By PAH Growth
The first all-sky, high-resolution, 3D map of the optical extinction curve of the Milky Way (Zhang & Green 2024) revealed an unexpected steepening of the extinction curve in the moderate-density, […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
The First Young Brown Dwarfs Found Outside Our Home Galaxy?
Picture the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way, roughly 200 000 light-years from Earth: here lies the young star cluster NGC 602. The […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Stellar Cartography
ESO Telescope Captures The Most Detailed Infrared Map Ever Of Our Home Galaxy
Astronomers have published a gigantic infrared map of the Milky Way containing more than 1.5 billion objects ― the most detailed one ever made. Using the European Southern Observatory’s VISTA […]