![Schematic representation of the chemical concept explored in this work. (A) Ethanolamine (EtA, NH2CH2CH2OH), methanol (CH3OH), and water (H2O) are subjected to electron irradiation, illustrating the starting molecular components and the formation of an unresolved product inventory after energetic processing. The question mark denotes the chemically diverse products investigated by FTIR, TPD-QMS, and ESI-MS. (B) Structure of the choline cation, [(CH3)3NCH2CH2OH]+ , included as a structurally related reference for assessing methylated EtA-derived and/or choline-like spectral features. -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Electron.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.GA]. Ethanolamine (EtA) is a recently detected interstellar complex organic molecule and a potential precursor to more functionalised N-bearing species.
Spectroscopy
![Surviving CH4 fraction as a function of depth below the surface and effective GCR exposure time. The colour scale gives the CH4 abundance relative to its initial value, while the dashed contours indicate 90%, 50%, and 10% remaining CH4. Vertical dashed lines mark the 3σ viable GCR exposure range of 0.87 - 3.12 Gyr. Increasing GCR exposure progressively extends CH4 depletion to greater depths while more deeply shielded layers retain a larger fraction of their primordial CH4. --[astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Delayed.png?resize=1200%2C713&ssl=1)
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Delayed Methane Detection in 3I/ATLAS: GCR-Driven Subsurface Stratification and Interstellar Exposure Age Constraints
[astro-ph.EP] Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS shows unusual volatile activity, including strong H2O, CO, and CO2 production and a delayed post-perihelion detection of CH4.
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Multiband Color Monitoring of 3I/ATLAS Through Ground-Based Relay Observations
[astro-ph.EP] We present multiband, long-baseline photometric observations of interstellar comet 3I throughout its 2025–2026 apparition using coordinated ground-based global relay observations.
![Comparison of isovalent species including sulfinothioic acid (1a, HSS(O)H) and recently detected hydrogen trioxide (trans‐/cis‐HOOOH). The calculated geometries of 1a were completed at the CCSD(T)‐F12/cc‐pVTZ‐F12 level of theory. This geometry is compared with calculated geometries of hydrogen trioxide from Bai et al. [17]. -- Agendwante Chemie via PubMed](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Interstellar-Ice.jpg?resize=1200%2C722&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Interstellar Ice Chemistry Yields Elusive Sulfinothioic Acid (HS(O)SH)
[Agendwante Chemie via PubMed]. Low-oxidation-state sulfur oxyacids are key yet experimentally elusive intermediates in interstellar sulfur chemistry; even the simplest member, sulfinothioic acid (HS(O)SH), has neither been detected in space […]
![Ratio maps involving the PAH7.7 feature and the F1500W synthetic photometry applied to the MRS cubes for ASPECS galaxies. The first row of panels shows the maps of the total PAH7.7 feature to the synthetic F1500W photometry. Ratios above 1 are possible because the wings of the PAH feature extend well beyond the filter (see text for details and Donnan et al. 2026b). The second row of panels is the fraction of PAH7.7 feature within the F1500W filter to the synthetic F1500W photometry. The third row of panels is the same as the second but for the fraction of continuum emission within the F1500W to the synthetic F1500W photometry -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PAHSPECS.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
PAHSPECS: JWST/MIRI Spectroscopy Of PAHs at Cosmic Noon
[astro-ph.GA] The physical conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM) are thought to differ greatly at high redshifts compared to local galaxies. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are key ISM constituents, mediating […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
The First Complete Picture Of (Gas) Planet Formation In Action
[Max Planck Institute for Astronomy] Over the past decades, astronomers have reconstructed a fairly complete scenario for planet formation, from minute dust motes clumping together to the emergence of rocky […]
![Orbit of 3I/ATLAS showing the 17 UVES/VLT observing epochs. Open and filled circles represent pre- and post-perihelion observations, respectively. Planet positions with filled circles are shown for the date of perihelion. The open diamond marks Earth’s position at the discovery of 3I/ATLAS, while the open circles along Earth’s orbit indicate its position at each observing epoch. [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/High-resolution.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inComets and Asteroids
High-resolution Optical Spectroscopy Reveals The Distinctive Volatile Composition Of The Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
[astro-ph.EP] Comets preserve volatile material from the early stages of planetary-system formation. The discovery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS enables a direct comparison between a comet formed around another star […]
![All plot facets identical to Figure 5. Simultaneous characterization of H2O and O2. Detector noise and thermal emission are included. Shorter wavelengths are preferred for dual detection, but result in lower yields. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Possible-Observational.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Possible Observational Survey Strategies to Maximize Exoplanet Yields: A Report from the Survey Strategies Task Group in the Exoplanet Science Yields Working Group
[astro-ph.EP] We present a variety of possible observational sequences from planet detection to characterization (i.e., survey strategies) for the initial exoEarth detection and characterization survey phase of the Habitable Worlds […]
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy
The Science Potential of Characterizing Gas Giant Exoplanets with HWO
[astro-ph.EP] With the ability to directly image Earth-like exoplanets and search their atmospheres for biosignatures, the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will also collect high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) reflected-light photometry […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Optical Constants of Photochemical Haze Analogs in N2-CH4-CO Atmospheres from 0.4 to 28.6 μm
[astro-ph.EP] Photochemical hazes play an important role in shaping the spectra and radiative balance of N2-dominated planetary atmospheres.