News

Riesen-Molekül im Weltall aufgespürt
Spektrum
German
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…
Jun 23, 2025

AAS 246 Press Conference - From Molecules to Molecular Clouds
Astrochemistry
GBT

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!

Jun 9, 2025

Cosmic Chemistry Breakthrough, Largest Aromatic Molecule Found in Deep Space
Astrochemistry
GBT
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…
Jun 9, 2025

Exploring the Molecular Universe with Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Space

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.

May 2, 2025

More cyanopyrenes in TMC-1!
Astrochemistry
GBT

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.

Nov 5, 2024

Schadstoffe im fast leeren Raum
Zeit
German
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.…
Oct 30, 2024

Une molécule détectée pour la première fois dans l’espace
Astrochemistry
GBT
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…
Oct 24, 2024

Scientists discover molecules that store much of the carbon in space
Research
Technology
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…
Oct 24, 2024

CfA features 1-cyanopyrene detection
Astrochemistry
GBT
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…
Oct 24, 2024

Postdoctoral Researcher Spotlight
Research
Technology
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…
Aug 20, 2024

2-methoxyethanol is our new space molecule!
Astrochemistry
ALMA
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…
Apr 22, 2024

School of Science announces 2024 Infinite Expansion Awards
Science
Technology
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…
Mar 4, 2024
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