![Best-fitting spectrum and atmospheric properties of WD 1856 b. a. Spectral decomposition illustrating the model components required to explain WD 1856 b’s JWST transmission spectrum (FIREFLy reduction; orange circles with 1 σ error bars). The best-fitting model (black curve) contains absorption from multiple CH4 features (purple shading), H2 + He continuum absorption (dark grey shading), and tentative evidence of C2H6 near 3.4 µm (brown shading) and PH3 near 4.3 µm (orange shading). Aerosol continuum opacity (silver shading) blocks thermal emission from the deep atmosphere in windows between CH4 bands, obscuring the ‘negative spikes’ that would otherwise be observed near 0.7 µm, 2.9 µm, and longwards of 4.0 µm for a clear atmosphere. The best-fitting model without nightside thermal emission (blue dashed curve) cannot explain the significantly lower transit depths longwards of 3.5 µm. b. Retrieved atmospheric properties, planetary mass, and aerosol properties from WD 1856 b’s JWST transmission spectrum for the FIREFLy (orange histograms) and Juniper (green histograms) data reductions. The median (solid line) and 1 σ credible intervals for each parameter (dashed lines) are overlaid. c. Residuals between the data and best-fitting model. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Aerosols.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] Most stars, including our Sun, will one day evolve into red giants and, subsequently, white dwarfs. Several planet candidates have recently been identified orbiting white dwarfs, demonstrating that planets […]
organic chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry
The Galactic Centre G+0.633-0.0604 Molecular Cloud: A New Astrochemical Gold Mine. I. Gas Physical Properties
[astro-ph.GA] In the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), shocks play a key role in triggering star formation and driving chemical enrichment. The Sgr B2 complex is a prime template, hosting massive […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Benzene Formation On Interstellar Dust Grain Analogues Via Single-Atom Fe Catalysis
[MRAS] Benzene has been detected across a range of astrophysical environments, though the primary mechanism underpinning its formation has not yet been constrained and the extreme conditions of the interstellar […]
![An artist's impression of the warm molecular gas cradle (hot core) surrounding a baby star discovered in a supernova remnant. Blue represents high-energy particles and photons produced by the supernova explosion, while brown represents interstellar matter. Credit: Takashi Shimonishi (Niigata University) [Based on observational results from this study, using drawing assistance from Google Gemini and ChatGPT]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Diverse-Organic.jpg?resize=1200%2C768&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Diverse Organic Molecules Discovered Surrounding A Newly Formed Star
[Niigata University] For the first time, astronomers have discovered stellar cocoons rich in complex organic molecules within a supernova remnant. A research team from Niigata University, Gifu University, RIKEN, and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Searching For The Elusive CH2+ With The James Webb Space Telescope. Another Carbocation To Constrain Astrochemical Networks
[astro-ph.GA] Carbocations are key species in interstellar chemistry, providing entry points for building larger hydrocarbons. CH+, and more recently, CH3+, have been detected. Other carbocations await detection to provide a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
MINDS: Complementary Inclinations In The Binary Ssystem HK Tau Reveal Gas- And Ice-phase Chemistry
[astro-ph.EP] HK Tau is a roughly equal mass pre-main sequence binary system consisting of a low-inclination primary (57 deg) and an edge-on (83 deg) secondary. We present JWST/MIRI observations targeting […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Dual Use Technology – An Astrochemistry Spin Off
Editor’s note: many of the tools that are used in astronomy to conduct analyses of chemistry in space – astrochemistry – utilize technology that has had long-standing applications in a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Charge Transfer From Ammonia Neutralizes Propylene Oxide Cations: Implications For The Astrochemistry Of Chiral Molecules
[astro-ph.GA] To date only one chiral species, propylene oxide, has been observed in the interstellar medium but little is known about the chemistry that leads to a detectable abundance of […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Unraveling The Building Blocks Of Earth’s Pigments
[Ohio State] Although they are some of the most widespread substances on Earth, not much is known about eumelanin, or natural organic matter (NOM) — a dark-colored substance formed by […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Theoretical and Experimental IR Spectra of Astronomical PAHs and PANHs in the 2000–1650 cm–1 Range (∼5–6 μm)
[ACS Earth and Space Chemistry] Recent James Webb Space Telescope observations reveal unprecedented details in the 2000–1650 cm–1 (∼5–6 μm) region, including the well-known 5.25 and 5.75 μm bands.