Coffee Chat

Brett and Laura Busch

The Grab & GO

1. Identification of the interstellar 1-cyano propargyl radical (HCCCHCN) in TMC-1

Cabezas et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.01938  

2. Production of linear alkanes via the solid-state hydrogenation of interstellar polyynes

Fedoseev et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.03031  

3. Sequential dissociation of ionized benzonitrile: New pathways to reactive interstellar ions and neutrals

Debes et al. A&A
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/pdf/forth/aa49818-24.pdf  

4. Gas-phase Formation of Large, Astronomically Relevant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Clusters

Ge et al. ApJS
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4365/ad9263#apjsad9263bib53  

5. Detection of thioacetaldehyde (CH3CHS) in TMC-1: sulfur-oxygen differentiation along the hydrogenation sequence

Agundez et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.05125  

6. A comprehensive study of the gas-phase formation network of HC5N: theory, experiments, observations and models

Giani et al. MNRAS
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/staf189/7994428?rss=1

7. The Missing Link of Sulfur Chemistry in TMC-1: The Detection of c-C3H2S from the GOTHAM Survey

Remijan et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.06343  

8. On the abiotic origin of dimethyl sulfide: discovery of DMS in the Interstellar Medium

Sanz-Novo et al. arXiv (ApJL)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.08892  

9. Extending the rotational spectrum of cyclopentadiene towards higher frequencies and vibrational states

Bonah et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.09678  

10. Laboratory rotational spectroscopy leads to the first interstellar detection of singly deuterated methyl mercaptan (CH2DSH)

Bunn et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.15944 

Single-Origin Brew

Brett chats with Rachel Gross

• Rachel's Paper on UV Irradiation in Disks: https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.06156 

Barista Bootcamp

• The History of the detection of interstellar deuterium

Chalkboard

• Job Openings

  • A post-doc position is available at the School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh to investigate the spectroscopy of astrochemically relevant ions using traps.  They seek a talented and self-motivated postdoc to work on a project in the ion spectroscopy and laboratory astrochemistry team led by Dr. E. K. Campbell. The position is offered for up to 14 months. The earliest starting date for the successful candidate is 1st March 2025.  Through this project, gas phase electronic and infrared spectra of fullerenes, their analogues, and related molecular ions of long standing astrochemical interest will be obtained for the first time using a combination of modern laboratory tools. These will be recorded at temperatures relevant to the ISM in experiments that exploit the unique capabilities of cryogenic radiofrequency (RF) ion traps. Ultimately, the goal is to address the grand challenge of identifying some of the remaining DIB carriers, and to understand their importance in our molecular universe.
    
    https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/11850 

  • A PhD position in laboratory astrochemistry is available in the group of Professor Wendy Brown at the University of Sussex, UK.  The PhD position is available as part of the UK EPSRC Doctoral Landscape awards at the University of Sussex.  The application deadline is in just a few days, 14 February.
    
    https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/phd-funding/view/1818-EPSRC-Science-and-Engineering-studentships
    
    

  • The newly established Emmy Noether Junior Research Group “Towards the Next Generation in Cosmic Ray Astrophysics” at the University of Duisburg-Essen led by Dr. Brandt Gaches is looking for a PhD student for novel investigations of the chemistry of star-forming molecular clouds. The PhD position is funded for 3.5 years. The project will be of interest to post-graduates who are looking to work with state-of-the-art star formation simulations, astrochemical modelling tools and development, and the analysis of large astrochemical datasets. The position can start as early as April 2025.
    
    The deadline for applications is February 19, 2025.
    
    https://www.uni-due.de/karriere/stelle.php?kennziffer=023-25
    
    

• Upcoming Meetings

  • There will be a focused Astrochemistry Mini Symposium at this year’s International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy.  With the forthcoming explosion in observational data driven by the bandwidth upgrades from the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) and ngVLA in particular, it is more important than ever that the laboratory, computational, and observational communities come together. This mini-symposium aims to get all areas of astrochemistry talking to best understand the landscape of needs so we can coordinate our limited resources to maximum effect in the face of this new era.
    
    ISMS has a decades-long history of a strong astrochemistry program each year.  ISMS is known as an extremely collegial and relaxed environment with a strong emphasis on informal discussion and collaboration as well as being a welcoming and accessible environment for students to give their first talks.  Registration and housing costs for students are extremely economical.
    
    Abstract submission is open and closes March 1st.
    
    isms.illinois.edu  

  • The 3rd Joint Scientific Meeting of the COST Action NanoSpace  will take place 13-15 May 2025, at Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.  The event will bring together leading scientists, researchers, and innovators to explore the engaging role of carbon molecular nanostructures in space. The 3rd Action Joint Meeting will be focussed on the fundamental and applied research of diverse carbon molecular nanostructures (fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and their derivatives) in the context of space science and exploration. The meeting will attack key questions on the formation, properties, and potential applications of these nanocarbon materials under space conditions. Another key nanocarbon topics for discussion will include:

    • i) Formation and Characterization;

    • ii) Space Radiation and Stability;

    • iii) Astrobiology and Planetary Science;

    • iv) Applications in Space Technology; and

    • v) Laboratory Studies.

The deadline for registration and abstract submission is 5th April 2025.

https://nanospace.ktu.edu/
  

• • Astrochemistry and Astrobiology beyond the Second Period, PacifiChem 2025, 15-20 December 2025, Honolulu, HI, USA
    
    The formation of molecules in extraterrestrial environments has fascinated scientists since the pioneering detection of CH, CH+, and CN. We now know of some 300 molecules in deep space ranging in complexity from diatomics such as molecular hydrogen (H2) to polyatomics like the sugar-related molecule glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO) and fullerenes (C60, C70). Whereas an understanding of the formation of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen (CHON) bearing organics in these extreme environments is beginning to emerge, the origin of molecules carrying third row atoms silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur have remained unanswered or contentious. In sear­ching for answers to this question, we also obtain crucial information relevant to the chemistry of our immediate environment: the rules of chemistry, after all, are uni­versal, even when the conditions are very different.
    
    This symposium focuses on the interdisciplinary fields of astrochemistry and astrobiology, bringing together speakers from laboratory astrochemistry (dynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy), astrochemical modeling (physicists), theoretical astrochemistry (computational chemists), and observational astrochemistry (astronomers). By focus­sing on the interplay between observational data, kinetic modeling, electronic structure calculations, along with gas phase and ice laboratory studies, we seek to evaluate the generalized concepts on the formation of astrochemically im­por­tant molecules carrying silicon (Si), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) – among them astrobiologically important molecules such as alkylsulfonic and alkylphosphonic acids. Through the exploration of the current boundaries of astrochemical knowledge, we can more effectively design new laboratory experiments and guide observations in space to resolve key unanswered aspects of molecular synthesis in extraterrestrial space.  The symposium is very timely as observational capabilities have reached the sensitivity and resolution to achieve not only the mere detection, but also the spatial distribution of molecules, while the lessons learned from the formation of CHON organics will direct the search for the exotic formation routes of the isovalent silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus counterparts.
    
    Abstract submission will open January 1st. 
    
    https://pacifichem.org/

  • “Theoretical Insights into Star Formation: from the Early to the Present Day Universe” (6-9 May 2025, Pisa, Italy)
    
    The planned sessions aim to provide a broad overview of star formation, covering the key areas of Galactic star formation, Magnetic fields, Cosmic rays and Astrochemistry. The discussion will also focus on the Early Universe followed by Chemical evolution and Nucleosynthesis, to explore the enrichment of elements underlying the diversity of stars and galaxies. A final session on the History of Astronomy will consider the last centuries of discoveries, relating historical developments to current theoretical knowledge.
    
    This conference brings us together to acknowledge the career of Daniele Galli, whose work has advanced research on these topics, contributing to our knowledge of star formation in its many facets.
    
    Abstract submission is open; participation in the conference is limited to about 100 people.
    
    https://indico.ict.inaf.it/e/sfpisa2025