ScienceJuly 13, 2026
astrochemist
/ˈæstroʊˌkɛmɪst/
Definition
A scientist who studies the chemical composition and reactions of matter found in space, such as gases, dust, and molecules in the interstellar medium.
Etymology
The word is a compound formed from the Greek 'astron' (star) and the noun 'chemist,' which stems from 'alchemy.' It emerged in the 20th century to describe the specialized intersection of astronomy and chemistry.
In the news
The term is used to describe the experts, such as Brett McGuire and Izaskun Jiménez-Serra, who analyze radio frequency data to identify complex organic molecules like sugar in the Milky Way. Their work is essential for understanding the chemical precursors to life in the universe.
A Sweet Surprise: Scientists Find Sugar Deep in Our Galaxy
Read the full article ↗The New York Times