Many interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs) are believed to be produced on the surfaces of icy grains at low temperatures. Atomic carbon is considered responsible for the skeletal evolution processes, […]
Spectroscopy
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Bayesian Analysis for Remote Biosignature Identification on exoEarths (BARBIE) I: Using Grid-Based Nested Sampling in Coronagraphy Observation Simulations for H2O
Detecting H2O in exoplanet atmospheres is the first step on the path to determining planet habitability. Coronagraphic design currently limits the observing strategy used to detect H2O, requiring the choice […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Chemical Inventory of the Inner Regions of Planet-forming Disks — The JWST/MINDS Program
The understanding of planet formation has changed recently, embracing the new idea of pebble accretion. This means that the influx of pebbles from the outer regions of planet-forming disks to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Status Report
Optical Spectropolarimetry Of Large C-complex Asteroids: Polarimetric Evidence For Heterogeneous Surface Compositions
This study presents the first optical spectropolarimetric study of large C-complex asteroids. A total of 64 C-complex asteroids of different subclasses are analyzed using archival polarimetric and reflectance data to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Diverse Chemistry Of Protoplanetary Disks As Revealed By JWST
Early results from the JWST-MIRI guaranteed time programs on protostars (JOYS) and disks (MINDS) are presented. Thanks to the increased sensitivity, spectral and spatial resolution of the MIRI spectrometer, the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
First Glycine Isomer Detected In The Interstellar Medium: Glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH)
We report the first detection in the interstellar medium of a C2H5O2N isomer: syn-glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH).
Posted inAstrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
New Perseverance Rover Research Provides More Signs Of Possible Organic Molecules On Mars
Little green men it isn’t — but a new study co-led by a Pitt PhD candidate shows the potential for a variety of carbon-based molecules in a crater on Mars. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Webb Sees Carbon-rich Dust Grains In The First Billion Years Of Cosmic Time
For the first time, the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has observed the chemical signature of carbon-rich dust grains at redshift ~ 7 [1], which is roughly equivalent to one […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Where Are The Water Worlds?: Self-Consistent Models of Water-Rich Exoplanet Atmospheres
It remains to be ascertained whether sub-Neptune exoplanets primarily possess hydrogen-rich atmospheres or whether a population of H2O-rich “water worlds” lurks in their midst.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
The Hunt For Formamide In Interstellar Ices: A Toolkit Of Laboratory Infrared Spectra
This work aims at characterizing the mid-IR spectra of formamide in its pure form as well as in mixtures of the most abundant interstellar ices via laboratory simulation of such […]