[astro-ph.GA] We use JWST NIRCam imaging to investigate the 3.3 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) feature in nearby galaxies. NIRCam observations of the 3.3 μm feature are emerging as a […]
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
![PAH ratio maps for the five PAHSPECS galaxies. We only show pixels that have a > 3σ measurement of the ratio. The left column shows NIRCAM color images using the F090W, F200W, F444W filters (M. J. Rieke et al. 2023). The second column shows the PAH6.2/PAH7.7 ratio. The third column shows the PAH11.3/PAH7.7 ratios. The fourth column shows the PAH3.3/PAH11.3 ratios. The final column shows [ArII]/PAH6.2. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PAHSPECS-Spatially-Resolved-PAH.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
PAHSPECS: Spatially Resolved PAH Spectroscopy At Cosmic Noon With JWST MIRI MRS
We present spatially resolved spectroscopy with JWST/MIRI MRS of a representative sample of normal star-forming galaxies at z∼1.1 as part of the PAHSPECS program.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Spatial Analysis Of PAH Molecules In The Pillars Of Creation Using JWST
I present a spatially resolved analysis of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) population in the Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula (M16) using the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Aromatic Species In The Molecular Universe
Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) are an important component of the interstellar medium of galaxies, containing some 10 percent of the elemental carbon. Their vibrational emission dominates the mid-infrared spectra […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
PHANGS-JWST: The Largest Extragalactic Molecular Cloud Catalog Traced By Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission
High-resolution JWST images of nearby spiral galaxies reveal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission structures that trace molecular gas, including CO-dark regions.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
The Role Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Astrochemical Modeling At Different Evolutionary Stages Of Cold Dense Cloud Cores
Context. Although the role of PAHs have been highlighted in recent years, it is crucial to verify their functions at different evolutionary stages of dark cloud cores.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
A Critical Examination Of The PAH Hypothesis
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) hypothesis proposes that the aromatic infrared bands (AIBs) observed at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3, and 12.7 mic originate from gas-phase PAH molecules.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Brown Dwarfs, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
MINDS. Cha Ha 1, A Brown Dwarf With A hydrocarbon-rich Disk
Context. Recent JWST observations have shown that brown dwarfs (BD) are chemically rich, offering valuable insights into giant planet formation.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
The Largest Aromatic Molecule Yet To Be Found in Deep Space
A team of chemists and astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of astrochemistry: the identification of cyanocoronene, the largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) ever detected in space. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Impact events, Interstellar, Status Report
How Do Organic Molecules Survive in Space?
The discovery of small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules in interstellar clouds through radio astronomy and observations of infrared (IR) emission bands from PAHs with unprecedented sensitivity by the James […]