The National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) Archives

The planetary nebula Tc 1, as observed by JWST's MIRI mid-infrared instrument, uses a combination of nine filters covering wavelengths from 5.6 to 25.5 microns, well beyond what the human eye can perceive. Blue tones represent the hottest gas, at shorter mid-infrared wavelengths; red tones indicate cooler material, at longer wavelengths. The image was processed by Katelyn Beecroft using PixInsight. Credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Western University, J. Cami

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

In The Heart Of Planetary Nebula Tc 1, A Buckyball Of Buckyballs

by Keith CowingApril 30, 2026April 30, 2026

Fullerene C60, the molecule that looks like a soccer ball, had already been identified in the planetary nebula Tc 1 by the Spitzer Space Telescope in 2010. Now a team […]

Microscope images of Ryugu samples collected from the first and second landing sites of the Hayabusa2 mission, respectively. Credit: Jaxa/Jamstec

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release

All DNA/RNA Nucleobases Are Found On Asteroid Ryugu

by Keith CowingMarch 16, 2026June 11, 2026

Samples from the asteroid Ryugu collected and returned to Earth by the Japanese Hayabusa 2 mission contain all five nitrogenous bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil—that make up nucleic acids, […]