Space and planetary science
The latest chemistry news and research on space, including planetary science and astrochemistry, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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FeatureThe young female astronomer who worked out what the sun is made of
100 years ago, Cecilia Payne deduced that the sun is mainly made of hydrogen – but was encouraged to downplay her findings by her PhD supervisor. Mike Sutton takes up the story
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ResearchLargest aromatic molecule found in deep space is double the size of previous record holder
Cyanocoronene found in an interstellar nursery
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OpinionDimethyl sulfide signature may not indicate extraterrestrial life
But a microbial source of the signal from planet K2-18b would have interesting implications for evolution
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ResearchOne of the biggest questions in Mars science may have been answered by the Curiosity rover
Mystery of where all the carbon dioxide went that once made the red planet far more hospitable has puzzled scientists for years
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ResearchFullerenes help explain why there’s so much molecular hydrogen in space
The famous carbon allotrope can catalyse the formation of hydrogen molecules in cold interstellar environments
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ResearchMiso fermented on the International Space Station is out of this world
Space paste had a nuttier taste than its earthly counterparts thanks to speedier chemistry
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ResearchLong-chain alkanes preserved in Martian mudstone
Molecules could have derived from biological fatty acids, although abiotic origins are also possible
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ResearchJWST reveals exoplanet composition with unprecedented clarity
Direct evidence of carbon enrichment in the planets around HR 8799 provides clues to their formation
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ResearchFerrihydrite in Martian dust may explain red planet’s colour – and hint at water-rich past
Idea of a dry past challenged, suggesting liquid water persisted longer than expected
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ResearchLife’s ingredients discovered in samples Nasa probe returned from an asteroid
Asteroid Bennu found to contain nucleobases, amino acids and ammonia
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ResearchSimulations suggest why highly unsaturated molecules are so abundant in the interstellar medium
Shocks, cosmic rays and x-rays seem to ionise and fragment saturated molecules via mechanisms that result in structures with the highest possible number of π bonds
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ResearchHunt for life should search for minerals as well as water, Chinese scientists claim
Serpentine minerals form in warm water and break down to key ingredients for life
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NewsNew polymers to be tested in extreme conditions aboard the International Space Station
The materials might one day make it into spacecraft components
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ResearchMeteorite 200 times larger than one that killed dinosaurs reset early life
Counterintuitively, impact brought benefits too by providing microorganisms with iron and phosphorus
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NewsPerseverance rover’s discovery of organics on Mars could be illusory
Hopes that compounds were sign of prebiotic chemistry or even ancient life may be result of instrument limitations
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FeatureHow satellite remote sensing is enhancing our understanding of Earth
Instruments in space have studied the planet’s atmosphere and surface, and are now being joined by powerful new ones, finds Andy Extance
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ResearchLow-energy electrons in cosmic ice spring surprise by generating prebiotic molecules
Electrons play a far more significant role than photons in creating molecules that might have kick-started life on Earth
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NewsControversial phosphine findings on Venus corroborated
Unpublished data reveals that phosphine – a potential marker of life – is likely present although could be a result of unknown chemistry