Formation of Molecules on Cosmic Dust Grains:From H2 to Astrobiology Frontiers
Abstract
If the role of dust grains in the formation of molecules in the ISM is now well accepted (as suggested almost 50 years ago) numerous questions remain yet unresolved despite serious experimental and theoretical efforts. This is the case for H2 (after ~20 years research) and more recently for larger molecules. For the latter the topical hot problem is to find a link between astrophysics and astrobiology in search of the origin of life in the universe, obviously a key question of paramount interest and general fascination.Both laboratory experiments and theory are necessary to interpret the wealth of increasing observational results and their improvements through new instrumental developments. The aim is to derive from them the physical and chemical conditions (and/or their dynamic evolution) in the remote regions of the ISM. In the laboratory a variety of multi-disciplinary experimental approaches are used to study the large number of parameters involved in the catalytic role of dust grains in the formation process and its different stages.The first step is to manufacture analogs of a dust grain, using several techniques. The most important parameters of a dust surface (and volume) are its nature and morphology. Carbonaceous or siliceous grains are fabricated, either bare or covered by a variety of ices, which have to be well-characterized.The second step covers the study of the formation mechanism(s) of molecules on a dust surface. This will be illustrated with two examples: H2 and prebiotic molecules. The main interest in the case of H2 is to learn about the fate of the energy released 4.5 eV per H2) in the formation process, due to its determinant role in star formation. In the case of prebiotic molecules the main interest is that they can be considered as precursors of the formation of complex organic compounds (like amino acids) which are subsequently at the origin of more complex biological material.The third and particularly important step is to establish a connection and feedback between observations and experimental results.An outlook on these three aspects will be presented. New perspectives will also be discussed.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #224
- Pub Date:
- June 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014AAS...22420502L