Not this month!
Conformational isomerism of methyl formate: new detections of the higher-energy trans conformer and theoretical insights
Sanz-Novo et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.23045
Thermal Desorption Kinetics, Binding Energies, and Entrapment of Methyl Mercaptan Ices
Narayanan et al. arXiv (ApJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.01102
The 1.5 μm Band of Cyanoacetylene as a Spectroscopic Target in Astrochemistry
Howard et al. JPCL
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c00724
Radial variations in nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen fractionation in the PDS 70 planet-hosting disk
Rampinelli et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.03833
Discovery of the 7-ring PAH Cyanocoronene (C24H11CN) in GOTHAM Observations of TMC-1
Wenzel et al. arXiv (ApJL)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.05232
Formation of the glycine isomer glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH) on the surfaces of interstellar ice grains: Insights from atomistic simulations
Perrero et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.17372
A deep search for Complex Organic Molecules toward the protoplanetary disk of V883 Ori
Fadul et al. arXiv (AJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.06005
Gas-Phase Reactions of H2CS and H2CO with CN: Similarities and Differences from a Computational Study
Alessandrini et al. ACS E&SC
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00034
Laboratory rotational spectra of cyanocyclohexane and its siblings (1- and 4-cyanocyclohexene) using a compact CP-FTMW spectrometer for interstellar detection
Wenzel et al. arXiv (JPCA)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.13686
H2S ice sublimation dynamics: experimentally constrained binding energies, entrapment efficiencies, and snowlines
Santos et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.14010
Divita Gupta chats with Hayley Bunn
Haley's paper on the lab spectroscopy and first detection of CH2DSH
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/adacea/meta
Alex Byrne chats with Julia Santos
Julia's paper on the spectroscopy of H2S in water ices
https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.14010
History of the discovery of exoplanets.
Upcoming Meetings
Abstract submissions are invited for a mini-symposium at the 38th European Conference on Surface Science, focusing on the Surface Science of Astrochemical systems. The meeting will be held August 24-29 in Braga, Portugal. Keynote speakers are Liv Hornaeker and Ko-Ju Chuang.
The newsletter notification indicates that abstracts were due May 2, but that the mini-symposium organizers, Wendy Brown and Martin McCoustra, encourage you to contact the organisers via the conference website should you wish to submit after this date.
https://ecoss38.pt/
We’ll also remind you of a few others on our radar, but their abstract submission has already closed. First is the astrochemistry mini-symposium at ISMS in June. There will be more than 100 astrochemistry talks at this extremely affordable, friendly conference. There is also an astrochemistry session at this summer’s meeting of the European Astronomical Society, and there’s a dedicated astrochemistry meeting at the PacificChem 2025 conference in December.
Job Opportunities
A computational chemistry postdoctoral research position is open in the group of Vincent Esposito at Chapman University, Orange, California, USA starting no sooner than September 2025. Please pass this posting along to any student or postdoc you think may be interested.
Position Description: The overall focus of the position will be computational astrochemistry, with multiple projects available to work on. Projects include 1) the anharmonic absorption and emission spectra of unsubstituted and substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 2) spectroscopy and photochemistry of small organic and metal-bearing astronomical molecules, and 3) chemistry relevant to Titan’s atmosphere. In addition to these project options, candidates are highly encouraged to pursue their own research ideas in collaboration with Professor Esposito.
Candidates are asked to please send a CV, description of scientific background, and research proposal of up to 3 pages to Vincent Esposito (vesposito(at)chapman.edu) at their earliest convenience. Application review will begin immediately and close once the position is filled.
Icarus Special Issue
There’s a special issue in the journal Icarus on “Carbon in Planetary Environments: Sources and Evolution.” The description reads:
Carbon is one of the most abundant elements, and its chemical form and evolution play a significant role in shaping planetary environments. For example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a significant interstellar carbon reservoir, and work to characterize the chemistry and life-cycle of such material is ongoing. The interplay between carbon and oxygen in accretionary environments controls redox state and has implications for the composition of condensates. Carbon is the basis for organic chemistry that is critical for life as we know it, and may also provide valuable biosignatures for detection (remote and in situ) of extraterrestrial life. In planetary bodies, the exchange of carbon between atmospheres and interiors controls planetary climate, whereas atmospheric gases such as CO2 and CO are important for planetary habitability and CH4 is a potential biosignature gas. The linkages between inherited and evolved forms of carbon in planetary systems are coming in to sharper focus as ALMA and JWST expand our view of the cosmos, and sample return missions such as OSIRIS-REx, Hayabusa2, and Martian Moons Explorer (MMX) enable groundbreaking laboratory analysis of carbonaceous materials. At the same time, space exploration missions such as Europa Clipper, JUICE, and Dragonfly are rapidly expanding the boundaries of our knowledge, as preparations for future missions such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory continue. This Special Issue presents new research from laboratory experiments, modeling work, data analysis, and other scientific techniques on carbon in planetary systems and beyond, including astronomical sources.
Submissions will be due by Nov 30, 2025.