Brett and Ilsa Cooke at Green Bank
The ALMA-QUARKS survey: Extensive detection of acetamide in multiple high-mass star-forming regions
Duan et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.01904
H3+ in irradiated protoplanetary disks: Linking far-ultraviolet radiation and water vapor
Goicoechea et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.05189
Quantum Dynamics of C10H− in the Interstellar Medium: Inelastic Collisions with He and Formation Reaction from the HC10H / H− Reactants
Alonso de la Fuente PCCP
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/cp/d5cp02685g
The Molecular Inventory of TMC-1 with GOTHAM Observations
Xue et al. arXiv (ApJS)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.06256
Is cosmic dust porous?
Potapov et al. arXiv (The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.10292
Radical Isomerization upon Dissociative Electron Ionization of Anthracene and Phenanthrene
Patch et al. JACS
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.5c08619
Sulfur oxides tracing streamers and shocks at low-mass protostellar disk–envelope interfaces
Liu et al. A&A
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/09/aa54186-25/aa54186-25.html
High-energy interstellar isomers: cis-N-methylformamide in the G+0.693-0.027 molecular cloud
Zeng et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.12097
First detection of ices in intermediate-mass young stellar objects beyond the Milky Way
De Marchi et al. arXiv (ApJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.13315
Formation of unsaturated carbon chains through carbon chemisorption on solid CO
Tsuge et al. arXiv (ApJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.16978
Papers and Links from the Percolator:
Orion Survey: Sutton et al. 1985 ApJS 58, 341
Sgr B2 Survey: Nummelin et al. 1998 ApJS 117, 427
TMC-1 Survey: Kaifu et al. 2004 PASJ 56, 69
PRIMOS (Sgr B2): Neill et al. 2012 ApJ 755, 153
TMC-1 GOTHAM: Xue et al. 2025 (https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.06256)
ASAI: Lefloch et al. 2018 MNRAS 477, 4792 (https://www.iram.fr/ILPA/LP007/)
IRC+10216 Survey: Gong et al. 2015 A&A 574, A56
Herschel HEXOS: https://www.ipac.caltech.edu/doi/irsa/10.26131/IRSA510
ALMA MAPS: https://alma-maps.info/data.html
Splatalogue: splatalogue.online
UMIST: https://umistdatabase.uk/
Upcoming Meetings
A second 2-day workshop, "Identifying and Bridging Gaps in Laboratory Astrophysics II", will be held January 3-4, 2026, ahead of the Winter AAS meeting in Phoenix, AZ. This workshop directly addresses a key recommendation from the Laboratory Astrophysics Task Force (LATF) convened by the AAAC in response to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. They held our first meeting at the Summer AAS meeting in Alaska, and would like additional input from the broader Astronomy and Astrophysics Community. Early registration for AAS has already passed, but regular registration ends in November. Note that this workshop requires specific registration as an add-on in registering.
There is a session "The Icy Universe Revealed by JWST" sponsored by the American Chemical Society Astrochemistry subdivision at the spring meeting in Atlanta, GA March 22-26, 2026. Abstract submission has already passed, but registration is open for some time, yet.
There is a conference, Exploring the Aromatic Universe in the JWST Era, to be held July 6-10 in London, Ontario. This symposium will bring together experts from observational astronomy, laboratory astrophysics, theoretical modeling, and quantum chemistry to explore the latest discoveries and future frontiers in PAH and fullerene research. With a special emphasis on extragalactic PAH studies, participants will discuss how new observational capabilities (e.g., JWST, SPHEREx) and cutting-edge theoretical and experimental approaches can expand our understanding of these key interstellar species. https://www.aromaticuniverse.space/
It looks like the 2026 European Conference on Laboratory Astrophysics will be held 21-25 September, 2026, in Heidelberg.
Job Opportunities
A postdoc position is available in the group of Bernadette Broderick at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the study of sublimation dynamics and radiation-induced chemistry in ices. The studies take advantage of the unique CPICE apparatus developed in our laboratory which combines Chirped-Pulse Fourier-Transform mmWave spectroscopy with buffer gas cooling to monitor polyatomic molecules directly as they desorb from the ice. This is employed with FTIR spectroscopy and irradiation by VUV light or keV electrons to investigate chemical transformations in the ice. Applications include fundamental studies in sublimation dynamics, astrochemistry, and development of ice lithography.
Requirements include a PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy or a related discipline and experience in some combination of: ice studies, rotational spectroscopy, astrochemistry, instrument development, or radiation chemistry. The position is for one year with possible renewal up to three years by mutual agreement contingent on availability of funds.
No specific deadlines are given, but those interested should contact Bernadette directly (broderickbm@missouri.edu)
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.