Energetic particles continuously process water ice across astrophysical and planetary environments, from interstellar clouds and comets to icy planetary surfaces. Interpreting the resulting observables requires a physically grounded description of […]
radiolysis
![Simulation results of abundance ratios [H2O2]/[H2O] (black lines), [H2]/[H2O] (orange lines), and [O2]/[H2O] (blue lines) with our model (model A) at 16 K (solid lines) and 77 K (dashed lines). The gray shaded and line filled regions show the experimental results of [H2O2]/[H2O] by Gomis et al. (2004a) at 16 and 77 K, respectively, with an assumed uncertainty of a factor of 3. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Simulation-of-proton-radiolysis.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Simulation Of Proton Radiolysis Of H2O And O2 Ices With The Nautilus Code
The radiolysis effect of cosmic rays (CRs) plays an important role in the chemistry in molecular clouds. CRs can dissociate the molecules on dust grains, producing reactive suprathermal species and […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Radiation, Status Report
New Research Suggests Life Could Survive Beneath The Surface Of Mars And Other Planets Using High Energy Particles From Space
A new study from NYU Abu Dhabi has found that high-energy particles from space, known as cosmic rays, could create the energy needed to support life underground on planets and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Enceladus, Europa, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Electron-Induced Radiolysis of Water Ice and the Buildup of Oxygen On Icy Worlds
Irradiation by energetic ions, electrons, and UV photons induces sputtering and chemical processes (radiolysis) in the surfaces of icy moons, comets, and icy grains.