News

Gabi Wenzel wins 2026 Laboratory Astrophysics Division Early Career Award

Dr. Gabi Wenzel, a Research Scientist in the laboratory of Professor Brett McGuire, has been named the recipient of the 2026 LAD Early Career Award from the American Astronomical Society’s Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD). This award recognizes individuals who…

2026 LAD Early Career Award Goes to Gabi Wenzel

The Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) is presenting its 2026 Early Career Award to Dr. Gabi Wenzel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The award…

Astronomers share largest molecular survey to-date

After 1,400+ hours on the NSF Green Bank Telescope, scientists unveil the largest, most sensitive dataset of molecules from deep space’s TMC-1 cloud.

Riesen-Molekül im Weltall aufgespürt

Weit draußen im Weltall existiert komplexere organische Materie als bislang gedacht – und mehr davon als angenommen. Das legt die neueste Entdeckung eines Forschungsteams aus den USA und Kanada nahe: Die Fachleute haben einen Stoff namens Cyanocoronen im…

AAS 246 Press Conference - From Molecules to Molecular Clouds

Our discovery of the seven-ring cyanocoronene in the Taurus molecular cloud was featured during the 246th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society held in Anchorage, Alaska. Click here to watch the video!

Cosmic Chemistry Breakthrough, Largest Aromatic Molecule Found in Deep Space

A team of chemists and astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of astrochemistry: the identification of cyanocoronene, the largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) ever detected in space. This molecule, composed of seven interconnected…

Exploring the Molecular Universe with Spectroscopy

As part of our celebration of National Space Day, Spectroscopy Online sat down with Gabi Wenzel to discuss how spectroscopy is being used to explore the molecular universe.

More cyanopyrenes in TMC-1!

We detected all three cyanopyrene isomers in the cold dark cloud TMC-1. Their observed abundance ratio of ~2:1:2 reflects the available carbon sites for CN addition to pyrene. We discuss this further in our recent article appearing in Nature Astronomy today.

Schadstoffe im fast leeren Raum

The German newspaper Die Zeit featured our detection of interstellar 1-cyanopyrene. Read along for Sibylle Anderl’s take on PAHs in space: Bestimmte kohlenstoffhaltige Moleküle vergiften die irdische Umwelt - und kommen in überraschend großen Mengen im All vor.…

Une molécule détectée pour la première fois dans l’espace

Un groupe de chercheurs interdisciplinaire a annoncé, jeudi, la détection d’une molécule retrouvée pour la première fois dans l’espace. Cette découverte pourrait aider les scientifiques à comprendre la formation de notre système solaire et le développement de la vie…

Scientists discover molecules that store much of the carbon in space

A team led by researchers at MIT has discovered that a distant interstellar cloud contains an abundance of pyrene, a type of large, carbon-containing molecule known as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The discovery of pyrene in this far-off cloud, which is…

CfA features 1-cyanopyrene detection

The element carbon is a building block for life, both on Earth and potentially elsewhere in the vast reaches of space. There should be a lot of carbon in space, but surprisingly, it’s not always easy to find. While it can be observed in many places, it doesn’t add up…

Postdoctoral Researcher Spotlight

Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Gabi Wenzel describes her research and answers 20 random questions. Originally from Germany, Gabi Wenzel arrived at MIT in October 22. She completed her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Germany, majoring in Physics for both. Gabi earned her…

2-methoxyethanol is our new space molecule!

New research from the group of MIT Professor Brett McGuire has revealed the presence of a previously unknown molecule in space. The team’s open-access paper, “Rotational Spectrum and First Interstellar Detection of 2-Methoxyethanol Using ALMA Observations of NGC…

School of Science announces 2024 Infinite Expansion Awards

Nine postdocs and research scientists honored for contributions to the Institute. The MIT School of Science has announced nine postdocs and research scientists as recipients of the 2024 Infinite Expansion Award, which highlights extraordinary members of the MIT…

Unlocking the Universe’s Secrets with Space Dust

A team led by researchers at Aarhus University is hoping to unravel one of the many mysteries of unknown molecular species in space. PhD researcher Anne P. Rasmussen has, together with Dr. Gabi Wenzel, Prof. Liv Hornekær, and Prof. Lars H. Andersen, been investigating…