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.
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)