Multiple studies demonstrate that space radiation—including cosmic rays and energetic particle irradiation of cosmic ices and minerals—drives and alters chemical reaction pathways, enabling the synthesis of complex organic compounds.
Evidence for · 3
Exploring Forsterite Surface Catalysis in HCN Polymerization: Computational Insights for Astrobiology and Prebiotic Chemistry.
2025 · cited by 4
Simulations demonstrate that cosmic mineral surfaces catalyze prebiotic chemical reactions through quantum-mechanically characterized surface-mediated pathways.
See more details
More for · 2
Chemical Environment and Temperature Effects on the Formation and Destruction of C<sub>3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> in Cosmic-Ray-Processed Ices.
2026 · cited by 0
Kinetic models show that astrophysical ices exposed to radiation drive complex chemical networks that alter the formation and destruction rates of carbon-based molecules.
Nonequilibrium Synthesis of Glycolamide (NH<sub>2</sub>COCH<sub>2</sub>OH), a Precursor to Amino Acids, on Interstellar Nanoparticles.
2026 · cited by 0
Experiments confirm that exposure of astrophysical ice analogs to cosmic-ray proxies induces radical-radical coupling to synthesize complex prebiotic organic molecules.