Dust Grains News

science1 month ago•2 min saved

First interstellar sugar detected near Milky Way center hints at cosmic prebiotic chemistry

Astronomers detected erythrulose, a four‑carbon sugar, in a massive interstellar dust cloud (G+0.693-0.027) near the Milky Way’s center. The sugar forms on microscopic dust grains from glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol at around -250°C and could be delivered to planets via comets or meteorites. This marks the first direct detection of a sugar in interstellar space and suggests simple sugars important for life may be more common in the cosmos, potentially seeding early Earth during periods of heavy bombardment.

via The Guardian|

#dust-grains #erythrulose #interstellar-medium

science8 months ago•6 min saved

New Insights into How Stardust Distributes Life's Ingredients in Space

New observations of the red giant star R Doradus suggest that starlight alone cannot account for the powerful winds that distribute life's essential elements across the galaxy, challenging decades-old theories and indicating other processes like stellar pulsations or dust formation may be involved.

via SciTechDaily|

#dust-grains #galactic-chemical-elements #red-giant-stars

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

Unveiling Dust Grain Secrets: ALMA Observes Young Star

A new study using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has captured the deepest polarization image of a protoplanetary disk surrounding the young star HL Tauri. The image reveals details about the dust grains within the disk, showing that they behave more like prolate grains and providing insights into their shape and size. The study also found that there is more polarization within the gaps of the disk than the rings, suggesting that the polarization comes from aligned dust grains within the gaps. ALMA's high resolution will continue to be crucial for further research on dust grains and planetary formation.

via Phys.org|

#alma #astronomy #dust-grains

space-science2 years ago•3 min saved

Life's Foundation: Building Blocks Formed on Cosmic Dust in the Void

Complex organic molecules, which serve as the building blocks of life, may have formed on tiny grains of dust in the cold vacuum of space, according to a new study. These dust grains, enriched with carbon atoms, react with frozen water to create simple molecules containing carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. These molecules then combine and react with other elements and molecules in the dust, forming more complex organic molecules. The findings suggest that the conditions of deep space alone can generate the necessary complexity for life to emerge.

via Livescience.com|

#building-blocks-of-life #dust-grains #organic-molecules

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

"2023 Orionid Meteor Shower: Your Guide to Watching Shooting Stars"

The Orionid meteor shower will peak on Sunday night, but meteors can be seen throughout the weekend at a rate of 10 to 20 per hour. The best time to spot a meteor is in the early morning hours, and it is recommended to wait for the moon to set for better visibility. The Orionids come from Comet Halley's debris trail and are known for their bright and fast-moving meteors. Other upcoming meteor showers and celestial events are also mentioned.

via KTRK-TV|

#astronomy #comet-halley #dust-grains

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

"Get Ready for the Orionid Meteor Shower: Your Guide to Watching the Spectacular Show"

The Orionid meteor shower will peak on Sunday night, but meteors can be seen throughout the weekend at a rate of 10 to 20 per hour. The best time to spot a meteor is in the early morning hours, and it is recommended to wait for the moon to set for better visibility. The Orionids come from Comet Halley's debris trail and are known for their bright and fast-moving meteors. Other upcoming meteor showers and celestial events are also mentioned.

via KABC-TV|

#astronomy #comet-halley #dust-grains