![Time evolution of the probability distribution of the system for different temperatures as labeled and for fixed parameters: V=106 km3 , L=10 53 erg/s, r=0.01 AU, Grac=26.30 kJ/mol. The vertical axis is enantiomeric excess, and the horizontal axis is time in Myr scale. -- [astro-ph.HE]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Supernova-Neutrinos.png?resize=1200%2C715&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.HE] We investigate the role of parity-violating interactions between supernova neutrinos and chiral molecules in nearby interstellar molecular clouds as a potential source of biomolecular homochirality.
organic chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry
Sugar Erythrulose Discovered In Interstellar Space
[Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)] Sugars are key biomolecules in living organisms, as they form the backbone of DNA and RNA and play a fundamental role in metabolic processes. In […]
![Microscopic Image of Organic Ice Mixture captured from the O-PTIR high resolution microscope. -- [astro-ph.IM]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Detection-of-Organics.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Detection of Organics in Water Ice by Optical-PhotoThermal Infrared Spectroscopy
[astro-ph.IM] The detection and characterization of organic molecules within water ice is vital for interpreting observations of icy moons and comets. However, organic-ice interactions often distort intrinsic water-ice absorption features, […]
![Potential environments for the origin of life and the corresponding roles of minerals. (a) In the deep-sea hydrothermal vent hypothesis, metal sulfides play a critical role in the formation of chemical precursors and building blocks. (b) In terrestrial hot spring, minerals may concentrate and stabilize molecular building blocks, catalyze polymerization under wet–dry cycling conditions, and provide protection against environmental stresses. (c) Extraterrestrial input of organic matter through meteorites, comets and IDPs. Minerals are the carrier and preserver of organic compounds and may possibly take part in the prebiotic synthesis of organic compounds in extraterrestrial environments. (Background images are modified based on AI-generated illustrations.) -- [Fundamental Research]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-role-of-minerals.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life
The Role Of Minerals In Prebiotic Evolution: Implications For Identifying Worlds With The Potential For Life’s Origin
[Fundamental Research] Understanding the origin of life requires explaining how abiotic molecules transitioned into the first living systems within plausible geological settings. Increasing evidence suggests minerals as active participants in […]
![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)
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Aerosols And Hydrocarbons In The Atmosphere Of A White Dwarf Planet
[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 […]
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 […]