Results for “Origins” — Page 5

NASA NTRS2015

Evidence from Meteorites for Multiple Possible Amino Acid Alphabets for the Origins of Life

A key question for the origins of life is understanding which amino acids made up the first proteins synthesized during the origins of life. The canonical set of 20 - 22 amino acids used in proteins are all alpha-amino, alpha-hydrogen isomers that, nevertheless, show considerable variability in properties including size, hydrophobicity, and ionizability. Abiotic amino acid synthesis experiments such as Miller-Urey spark discharge reactions produce a set of up to 23 amino acids, depending on starting materials and reaction conditions, with significant abundances of both alpha- and non-alpha-amino acid isomers. These two sets of amino acids do not completely overlap; of the 23 spark discharge amino acids, only 11 are used in modern proteins. Furthermore, because our understanding of conditions on the early Earth are limited, it is unclear which set(s) of conditions employed in spark discharge or hydrothermal reactions are correct, leaving us with significant uncertainty about the amino acid alphabet available for the origins of life on Earth. Meteorites, the surviving remnants of asteroids and comets that fall to the Earth, offer the potential to study authentic samples of naturally-occurring abiotic chemistry, and thus can provide an alternative approach to constraining the amino acid library during the origins of life.

Burton, A. S.↗

NASA NTRS2016

The Role of Extraterrestrial Materials in the Origin of Life

It has been well established for some time now that C-rich organic materials are relatively common in a number of environments in space. This is known through the telescopic detection of these materials using spectroscopy techniques in the infrared and sub-millimeter wavelength ranges and through the identification of organics in extraterrestrial materials. Extraterrestrial materials in which organics have been found include collected meteorites and interplanetary dust particles, and samples returned by NASA spacecraft from comets. These organics are produced by a variety of astrochemical processes. Despite their abiotic origins, these organic materials of are considerable interest to astrobiology for several reasons. First, organic materials of any composition are important as a means of delivering the elements C, H, O, and N to the surfaces of newly formed planets, and these elements are likely critical to the origin and subsequent evolution of life (certainly for life as we know it). In addition, it is clear that at least a portion of the organics found in space are in the form of molecules that play important roles in modern biology - for example, molecules like amino acids, amphiphiles, quinones, etc. Thus, the delivery of extraterrestrial organics to planetary surfaces brings not only bulk C, H, O, and N, but also molecular complexity in forms that are potentially useful for the origin and early evolution of life. This suggests that the production and delivery of cosmic organic compounds may have played key roles in the origin of life on Earth and, by extension, on other planets in the universe.

Astrochemistry↗

NASA NTRS2021

Origins Space Telescope Science Drivers to Design Traceability

The Origins Space Telescope (Origins) concept is designed to investigate the creation and dispersal of elements essential to life, the formation of planetary systems, and the transport of water to habitable worlds and the atmospheres of exoplanets around nearby K- and M-dwarfs to identify potentially habitable—and even inhabited—worlds. These science priorities are aligned with NASA’s three major astrophysics science goals: How does the Universe work? How did we get here? and Are we alone? We briefly describe the science case that arose from the astronomical community and the science traceability matrix for Origins. The science trace-ability matrix prescribes the design of Origins and demonstrates that it will address the key science questions motivated by the science case.

Infrared↗

NASA NTRS2021

Far-infrared Imager and Polarimeter for the Origins Space Telescope

The far-infrared imager and polarimeter (FIP) for the Origins Space Telescope (Origins) is a basic far-infrared imager and polarimeter. The camera will deliver continuum images and polarization measurements at 50 and 250μm. Currently available detector technologies provide sufficient sensitivity for background limited observations from space, at least on a single pixel basis. FIP incorporates large next-generation superconducting detector arrays and our technology development plan will push the pixel numbers for the arrays to the required size of 8000. Two superconducting detector technologies are currently candidates for the instrument: transition edge sensors or microwave kinetic inductance devices. Using these detectors and taking advantage of the cryogenic telescope that is provided by Origins, FIP will achieve mapping speeds of up to eight orders of magnitude faster than what has been achieved by existing observatories. The science drivers for FIP include observations of solar system objects, dust properties, and magnetic field studies of the nearby interstellar medium, and large scale galaxy surveys to better constrain the star formation history of the universe to address one of the main themes of Origins: “How does the Universe work?” In addition to the science, the FIP instrument plays a critical functional role in aligning the mirrors during on orbit observatory commissioning.

Astronomy↗

NASA NTRS2019

A ~60 day Super-orbital Period Originating from the Ultraluminous X-ray Pulsar in M82

Ultraluminous X-ray (ULX) pulsars are a new class of object powered by apparent super-critical accretion onto magnetized neutron stars. Three sources in this class have been identified so far; M82X-2, NGC 5907 ULX-1, and NGC 7793 P13 have been found to have two properties in common; ∼1 s spin periods, and for NGC 5907 ULX-1 and NGC 7793 P13 periodic X-ray flux modulations on timescales of ∼60–80 days. M82 X-2 resides in a crowded field that includes the ULX M82 X-1 separated from X-2 by 5″, as well as other bright point sources. A 60 day modulation has been observed from the region, but the origin has been difficult to identify; both M82 X-1 and X-2 have been suggested as the source. In this paper we present the analysis of a systematic monitoring campaign by Chandra, the only X-ray telescope capable of resolving the crowded field. From a simple Lomb–Scargle periodogram analysis and a more sophisticated Gaussian Process analysis we find that only X-2 exhibits a periodic signal around 60 days, supporting previous claims that it is the origin. We also construct a phase-averaged flux profile of the modulations from higher-cadence Swift/XRT data and find that the flux variations in the Chandra data are fully consistent with the flux profile. Since the orbit of the neutron star and its companion is known to be 2.5 days, the ∼60 day period must be super-orbital in origin. The flux of the modulations varies by a factor of ∼100 from the minimum to the maximum, with no evidence for spectral variations, making the origin difficult to explain.

Individual galaxies↗

NASA NTRS2021

Origins Space Telescope Science Drivers to Design Traceability

The Origins Space Telescope (Origins) concept is designed to investigate the creationand dispersal of elements essential to life, the formation of planetary systems, and the transportof water to habitable worlds and the atmospheres of exoplanets around nearby K- and M-dwarfsto identify potentially habitable—and even inhabited—worlds. These science priorities arealigned with NASA’s three major astrophysics science goals: How does the Universe work?How did we get here? and Are we alone? We briefly describe the science case that arose fromthe astronomical community and the science traceability matrix for Origins. The science trace-ability matrix prescribes the design of Origins and demonstrates that it will address the keyscience questions motivated by the science case.

Margaret Meixner↗

NASA NTRS2018

Origin of Molecular Oxygen in Comets: Current Knowledge and Perspectives

The Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) instrument onboard the Rosetta spacecraft has measured molecular oxygen (O 2 ) in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G) in surprisingly high abundances. These measurements mark the first unequivocal detection of O 2 in a cometary environment. The large relative abundance of O 2 in 67P/C-G despite its high reactivity and low interstellar abundance poses a puzzle for its origin in comet 67P/C-G, and potentially other comets. Since its detection, there have been a number of hypotheses put forward to explain the production and origin of O 2 in the comet. These hypotheses cover a wide range of possibilities from various in situ production mechanisms to protosolar nebula and primordial origins. Here, we review the O2 formation mechanisms from the literature, and provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge of the sources and origin of cometary O 2 .

Molecular oxygen↗

NASA NTRS2021

The Grayness of the Origin of Life

In the search for life beyond Earth, distinguishing the living from the non-living is paramount. However, this distinction is often elusive, as the origin of life is likely a stepwise evolutionary process, not a singular event. Regardless of the favored origin of life model, an inherent “grayness” blurs the theorized threshold defining life. Here, we explore the ambiguities between the biotic and the abiotic at the origin of life. The role of grayness extends into later transitions as well. By recognizing the limitations posed by grayness, life detection researchers will be better able to develop methods sensitive to prebiotic chemical systems and life with alternative biochemistries.

Origin of life↗

NASA NTRS2015

The Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets:Clues to the Origins and Early Evolution of Venus, Earth, and Mars

We review the current state of knowledge of the origin and early evolution of the three largest terrestrial planets - Venus, Earth, and Mars - setting the stage for the chapters on comparative climatological processes to follow. We summarize current models of planetary formation, as revealed by studies of solid materials from Earth and meteorites from Mars. For Venus, we emphasize the known differences and similarities in planetary bulk properties and composition with Earth and Mars, focusing on key properties indicative of planetary formation and early evolution, particularly of the atmospheres of all three planets. We review the need for future in situ measurements for improving our understanding of the origin and evolution of the atmospheres of our planetary neighbors and Earth, and suggest the accuracies required of such new in situ data. Finally, we discuss the role new measurements of Mars and Venus have in understanding the state and evolution of planets found in the habitable zones of other stars.

origin of mars↗

DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating the Origins of Aerobic Oxidation Catalysis with TAM-3, a MOF with Accessible Co(II) Sites and Large Pores

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attractive platforms that merge concepts of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Catalyst design and optimization are enabled by an array of synthetic methods that offer independent control over the local chemical structure of lattice-embedded metal ions (i.e., ligand identity and geometry) and the long-range materials properties (i.e., porosity). Establishing the origin of catalytic activity in MOF-promoted reactions remains a significant challenge: The relative rates of catalyst turnover and substrate diffusion dictate the extent to which interstitial sites are accessible and operational in catalysis. To minimize the contributions of surface sites in catalysis, materials with large pore dimensions are often sought, however, the impact of pore expansion on the origins of catalytic activity is similarly challenging to establish. Here, we describe TAM-3, a Co(II) based MOF with accessible metal sites supported by a facially coordinating tris-tetrazole ligand set. TAM-3 features large channel-like pores (17 × 23 Å) and promotes aerobic C−H oxidation and olefin epoxidation. Using a set of simple kinetics experiments, based on the analysis of kinetic isotope effects and olefin oxidation diastereoselectivities, we demonstrate that despite the large pores, interstitial metal ions do not significantly contribute to the observed substrate oxidation. This study highlights the importance of conducting kinetic experiments to assess the origin of apparent catalytic activity with MOFs and the challenge of harnessing reactive oxidants with microporous catalyst materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2026

The stellar origins of 96 Zr excesses in presolar graphites from the Murchison meteorite

Context. Zirconium-96 is a stable isotope that can be synthesized under different neutron-rich nucleosynthetic conditions. Astrophysical models predict its production to occur in various stellar environments: from low-to-intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars to massive stars and core-collapse supernovae. Aims. Detections of 96Zr excesses, in combination with other isotopic measurements from presolar grains can provide unique constraints on its stellar origin. Presolar grains are microscopic particles found in primitive Solar System materials, which formed in stellar winds and supernova ejecta. The isotopic composition of each grain can provide us a snapshot of the nucleosynthetic processes that took place during the parent star’s lifetime. Methods. In this study, we measured the stable isotopes of C, N, O, Mo, Zr, and Ru in high-density presolar graphite grains from the Murchison meteorite and found four grains that contain positive isotopic anomalies in 96 Zr carried by their internal subgrains. We analyzed multi-element isotopic datasets from each grain to explore the source of the observed 96 Zr excesses. Results. Comparisons with stellar models indicate that two grains likely condensed in an intermediate-mass AGB star with initial metallicity of Z ≤ 0.014. Their 96 Zr/ 94 Zr ratios also match those predicted for born-again AGB stars undergoing a very late thermal pulse and rapidly accreting white dwarfs. After comparing the relative populations of the aforementioned dust-producing stars, we propose rapidly accreting white dwarfs as a new, and more likely, stellar source for one of the presolar grains. The remaining two grains could have originated in the supernova ejecta of massive stars, due to correlated excesses in the p-nuclides, 92, 94 Mo. Thus, grains with 96 Zr anomalies can have a variety of stellar origins, in agreement with theoretical studies. Conclusions. Our study highlights the importance of multi-element analysis in constraining the types of stars where presolar grains have condensed. These data will help improve our understanding of various nucleosynthesis processes in different stellar phases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey - Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region

# 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region The 2022 Next-Generation National Household Travel Survey – Origin-Destination Data Addendum for the Oahu Region covers the Hawaiian island of Oahu and five counties in surrounding islands. An addendum to the nationwide version of the study conducted in 2019, this regional survey provided additional information and spatial granularity about people’s movements to, from, and within the areas under study. ## Data Collection Agency The survey was conducted for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. ## Survey Methodology Data were collected in two zones: the core area (census blocks in the island of Oahu) and the halo area (five counties in adjacent Hawaiian islands). All trips were assigned an origin zone and a destination zone, as well as a travel mode, purpose, and distance. Sociodemographic information related to age, income, and gender was also collected. ## Survey Records, Data, and Documentation Survey records include 1,154,167,619 trips.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗