ScienceJuly 13, 2026
cosmochemist
/ˈkɒz.məʊˌkem.ɪst/
Definition
A scientist who studies the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that govern the formation of molecules in space.
Etymology
The word is a hybrid of the Greek 'kosmos' (universe) and the word 'chemist,' derived from the French 'alchimiste.' It combines the scope of cosmic studies with the discipline of chemistry to describe the analysis of extraterrestrial matter.
In the news
Izaskun Jiménez-Serra is identified as a cosmochemist leading the study that discovered erythrulose in the galactic center. Her expertise is critical for understanding how prebiotic sugars formed in space and contributed to the origins of life on Earth.
The Center of Our Galaxy Is More Like a Raspberry Donut Than We Realized
Read the full article ↗ScienceAlert