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Lab Astro Articles

Explore the latest research and discoveries from the laboratory astrophysics community in our collection of recent publications. This page highlights newly published work from researchers in the field, showcasing advances in laboratory studies that deepen our understanding of astrophysical processes and phenomena.

A region of space filled with bright stars and clouds of gas. In the center, the densest clouds form the shape of a chest with its lid open. The chest appears to glow from within. At its base it breaks apart into long pillars of thick gas. Many of the gas clouds in the background are dark orange globules, while others form large, pale hazes. A few brightly shining stars lie in the foreground, the biggest and brightest in front of the chest’s lid.

Broadband spectroscopy of astrophysical ice analogues – V. Optical constants of Ih, Ic, and amorphous H2O ices in the terahertz-infrared range

Gavdush, A. A., Ribeiro, F., Matveishina, M. K., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 710, A89 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202659623

The H, C and N abundances and isotopic compositions of samples with outer Solar System heritage: asteroid Bennu and the Tarda and Tagish Lake meteorites

Foustoukos, D. I., Alexander, C. M. O’D., Cody, G. D., et al.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 424, 113 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2026.05.028

The bulk abundances and isotopic compositions of H in CM and CI carbonaceous chondrites

Alexander, C. M. O’D., Foustoukos, D. I.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 424, 176 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2026.05.027

Mechanical properties of salty ice powders as analogues of Europa’s recently erupted ices

Jabaud, B., Artoni, R., Le Menn, E., et al.

Icarus, 458, 117190 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117190

Vapor pressures of low-temperature C2Hx hydrocarbon ices

Grundy, W. M., Tan, S. P., Steckloff, J. K., et al.

Icarus, 458, 117179 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117179

CO line profiles in accreting ices

Aslam, R., Lee, C.-Y., Chiu, Y.-H., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 1003, 3 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae6111

Assessment of the impact of CN-reactions with NH3 and CH3NH2 in the chemistry of a dark interstellar cloud: Experimental kinetic study and gas-phase model

González, D., Ballesteros, B., Agúndez, M., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 1003, 62 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae624b

The reactions of N(2D) with monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their role in the atmospheric chemistry of Titan

Mancini, L., Balucani, N., Rosi, M.

Icarus, 457, 117152 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117152

Prebiotic chemistry insights for Dragonfly. II: Thermodynamic favorability of nucleobases, ribose, and fatty acids in Selk Crater on Titan

Madan, I., Pearce, B. K. D.

Planetary Science Journal, 7, 107 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5f91

Feeling the pressure: Effects of formation pressure on the physical properties of Titan haze analogs

Husic, A., Yu, X., Blase, R. C., et al.

Planetary Science Journal, 7, 111 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae63ca

Adhesion force of Titan tholin at low temperatures: Saltation threshold wind speed, roles of alteration with liquid methane, and aeolian transport of organics on Titan

Hirai, E., Itoh, H., Sekine, Y., et al.

Icarus, 457, 117154 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117154

Electron irradiation of methanol ices: Implications for organic chemical diversity on Europa’s surface

Carrasco-Herrera, R., Bouquet, A., Noble, J. A., et al.

Icarus, 456, 117136 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117136

Radiolysis versus photolysis of nitrile ices: Laboratory constraints for interstellar chemistry

Borengasser, Q. D., Moore, B. M., Hager, T. J., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 709, A168 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202658969

Cryogenic bottom-up formation of the benzene cation from acetylene in helium nanodroplets

Foitzik, F., Richardson, V., Maurice, C., et al.

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 148, 18615 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c04278

Characterization of the chemical evolution of CH4 ices under processing by cosmic ray analogs with the PROCODA code – II. Dominant chemical reactions for the formation and consumption of CHCH, C2H6, and C3H8
Gerasimenko, S., Carvalho, G. A., Zanatto, F., et al.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 548, stag805 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag805

Modeling the chemical evolution of cosmic-ray irradiated H2O:CO2 ices with PROCODA: Implications for protostars and trans-Neptunian objects
Moraes, L., Pilling, S.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 549, stag816 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag816 

Influence of CO versus CH4 on organic haze formation in atmospheres of diverse terrestrial exoplanets

Wang, S., Yang, Z., Li, H., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 709, A166 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202658994

Seasonal variability of Pluto’s haze formation revealed by laboratory simulations

Yang, Z., He, C., Liu, Y., et al.

Planetary Science Journal, 7, 103 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5e70

Abundant hydrocarbons in a buried galactic nucleus with signs of carbonaceous grain and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon processing

Garcia-Bernete, I., Pereira-Santaella, M., Gonzalez-Alfonso, E., et al.

Nature Astronomy, 10, 420 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02750-0

A chemistry-first centered icy chemical inventory of protostellar sources with JWST

Turner, A. M., Yang, Y.-L., Gross, R., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 1000, 17 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae3743

Hydrocarbon complexity and photochemical shielding of prebiotic feedstock molecules in exoplanet atmospheres

Braam, M., Gopaoco, E., Tsai, S.-M., et al.

Icarus, 452, 117032 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.117032

Molecular evolution of H2O:O2 ices at different temperatures in simulated space environments. II. Evolution of reaction pathways

Silva, J. R. C., Queiroz, L. M. S. V., Ferrão, L. F. A., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 1002, 19 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae579d

An interstellar energetic and non-aqueous pathway to peptide formation

Hopkinson, A. T., Wilson, A. M., Pitfield, J., et al.

Nature Astronomy, 10, 531 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02765-7

Irradiation of methanol ice on a sulfur-rich dust analogue at 25 K: A mid-infrared spectroscopic study

Mifsud, D. V., Kanuchova, Z., Auriacombe, O., et al.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 28, 3642 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CP03973H

Impact of N2 addition on cation and anion chemistry in C2H2/Ar plasmas

Tanarro, I., Peláez, R. J., Herrero, V. J.

Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 35, 045018 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/ae5e05

On the importance of laboratory experiments for interpreting exoplanet observations

Thompson, M. A.

Astrophysics and Space Science, 371, 33 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-026-04564-6

Formation and trapping of CO2 from cryogenic irradiation of carbonate

Pandya, A., Chandra, S., Brown, M. E.

The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 93 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae595b

Hydrolyzed hazes on water-rich exoplanets: Optical constants and detectability
Pesciotta, C., Hörst, S. M., Radke, M. J., et al.
The Astrophysical Journal, 1002, 221 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae5b99 

Physical analysis of Bennu samples reveals regolith production by collisional disruption on near-Earth asteroids
Ballouz, R.-L., Ryan, A. J., Macke, R. J., et al.
The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 87 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae4fad

Thermal evolution of the sulfur-rich, small terrestrial planetary core as inferred from the experimental study of the Fe-S-O-H System
Lee, J., Keum, J., Kim, T., et al.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 131, e2025JE009141 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009141

Raman spectroscopy of salt deposits from the simulated subsurface ocean of Enceladus
Takeshita, J., Cho, Y., Tabata, H., et al.
The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 91 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae548e

The spectroscopic impact of sublimation under Martian surface conditions: Implications for sample analysis by the Rosalind Franklin Rover and biosignature preservation
Preston, L. J., Minns, C. H., Roussouli, I., et al.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 131, e2025JE009430 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009430  

Proton irradiation of primitive atmospheres of young exoplanets and early Earth: N2O greenhouse warming and prebiotic synthesis
Kobayashi, K., Airapetian, V. S., Udo, T., et al.
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 1002, L12 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae5491 

Direct observation of organic molecules in asteroid Ryugu revealed by high-resolution atomic force microscope

Iwata, K., Oba, Y., Naraoka, H., et al.

Nature Communications, 17, 3416 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71484-y

Desorption dynamics of interstellar molecule on amorphous solid water investigated by machine learning potential-based PaCS-MD simulation

Watanabe, N., Kästner, J., Hori, Y., et al.

The Journal of Chemical Physics, 164, 144310 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0325531

The reaction between atomic carbon and molecular nitrogen as a source of cyanamide and carbodiimide on interstellar ices

Hickson, K. M., Loison, J.-C., Coutens, A.

ACS Earth Space Chemistry, 10, 1122 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.6c00032

Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy reveals complex organic–mineral assemblages in asteroid Bennu

Yesiltas, M., Dopilka, A., Kostecki, R., et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 123, e2601891123 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2601891123

Distribution of extraterrestrial nucleobases, other N-heterocycles, and their precursors in a sample from asteroid Bennu

Oba, Y., Koga, T., Takano, Y., et al.

Communications Chemistry, 9, ,132 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-026-01966-z

CO and N2 produced from H2O, CO2, and NH3 cometary ice analogs

McKinnon, A., Simon, A., Brann, M. R., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 1001, 125 (2006)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae53e1

Nondiffusive formation of acetaldehyde on interstellar ices: An atomistic perspective

Martínez-Bachs, B., Rimola, A.

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 1000, L58 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae4a8e

Spectral similarity in the thermal infrared between sulfide-rich carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, Jupiter Trojans, and other D- and P-type asteroids

Bates, H. C., King, A. J., Donaldson Hanna, K. L., et al.

The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 90 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5931

Quantifying building blocks of life in planetary analog materials: Implications for prebiotic chemistry and biosignature identification

Luo, X., He, C., Yang, Z., et al.

The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 82 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae593e

The effects of propane on nitrogen–hydrocarbon mixtures relevant to Titan’s lakes and seas

Thieberger, C., Hanley, J., Tan, S. P., et al.

The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 81 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae4fb3

Replenishment of methane in Titan’s atmosphere by intrusion-driven thermal destabilization of methane clathrate hydrates

Davies, A. G., Choukroun, M., Sotin, C., et al.

The Planetary Science Journal, 7, 75 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae47df

Quantum chemical insights into the dissociation of phenol for impact ionisation mass spectrometry: Understanding molecular fragmentation relevant for icy moon exploration

O’Sullivan, T., Bera, P.P., Khawaja, N., et al.

ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 10, 1033 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00318

Spectroscopic studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Interstellar aromatic chemistry revealed

McCarthy, M. C., McGuire, B. A.

Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, 77, 345 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-physchem-082324-010544

UV irradiation of ethanol-containing interstellar ice analogs: Photostability in CH3CH2OH:CO mixtures

DeVine, J. A., Terwisscha van Scheltinga, J., Ioppolo, S., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 708, A186 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202557923

Broadband spectroscopy of astrophysical ice analogues. IV. Optical constants of N2 ice in the terahertz and mid-infrared ranges

Kruczkiewicz, F., Gavdush, A. A., Ribeiro, F., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 707, A344 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202556818

Broadband infrared spectroscopy of methanol isotopologues in pure, H2O-rich, and CO-rich ice analogues

Vyjidak, A., Giuliano, B. M., Jusko, P., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 707, A214 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202557702

Broadband spectroscopy of astrophysical ice analogues: III. Scattering properties and porosity of CO and CO2 ices

Gavdush, A. A., Ivlev, A. V., Zaytsev, K. I., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 701, A287 (2025)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202556110

CO desorption from interstellar icy grains induced by IR excitation of superhydrogenated PAHs

Slumstrup, L., Thrower, J. D., Hopkinson, A. T., et al.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 704, A74 (2025)

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202556399

The survival of aromatic molecules in protoplanetary disks

Piacentino, E. L., Balkanski, A., Calahan, J., et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 994, 155 (2025)

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae1134