Gabi Wenzel chats with Jenny Calahan
Jenny's Paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.06613
Nascent chemical complexity in prestellar core IRAS 16293E: complex organics and deuterated methanol
Scibelli et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.04762
Chemical templates of the Central Molecular Zone. Shock and protostellar object signatures under Galactic Center conditions
Dutkowska et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.10759
MINDS. Strong oxygen depletion in the inner regions of a very low-mass star disk?
Kanwar et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.11761
Formation of Thiocarbonic Acid (H2CS3) - the Sulfur Counterpart of Carbonic Acid (H2CO3) - in Interstellar Analog Ices
Coulaud et al. PCCP
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2025/CP/D5CP02478A
Discovery of interstellar phenalene (c-C13H10): A new piece for the chemical puzzle of PAHs in space
Cabezas et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.13857
Formation of methane and cyclohexane through the hydrogenation of toluene
Hopkinson et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.13864
Rotational Spectroscopy and Tentative Interstellar Detection of 3-Hydroxypropanal (HOCH2CH2CHO) in the G+0.693-0.027 Molecular Cloud
Fried et al. arXiv (ApJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.15911
Equilibrium Simplified Chemistries for H2O and CO in three-phase astrochemical models
Rawlings et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.17747
Dissociation and destruction of PAHs and PAH clusters induced by absorption of X-rays in protoplanetary discs around T Tauri stars
Lange et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.17847
A D/H Ratio Consistent with Earth's Water in Halley-type Comet 12P from ALMA HDO Mapping
Cordiner et al. arXiv (Nature Astronomy)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.05925
Martin Cordiner
Martin's Paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.18209
Ion-Molecule Reactions
Upcoming Meetings
A couple of meetings that we’ve got very preliminary rumblings about, but not much more info yet, so just a heads up and save the date really …
It looks like the 2026 European Conference on Laboratory Astrophysics will be held 21-25 September, 2026, in Heidelberg.
There will be a conference on aromatic chemistry in the JWST era in London, Ontario from July 6 - 10, 2026.
Job Opportunities
None this month
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.