Stars R Us: the cosmic chemistry connection
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We are all made of star stuff! The atoms inside us were forged in the nuclear furnaces of stars. In stellar atmospheres, some elements form star-dust, which is blown out into space. In interstellar regions, chemical reactions between gases and dust turn the elements into increasingly complex molecules; over 150 have already been identified in space to date. These molecular cauldrons subsequently form the stellar nurseries from which new stars and planets form. The importance of molecules as progenitors for star formation, and for life, is not lost on astronomers. Chemists and Astronomers are now working together to understand how these 'space' molecules are formed, and the key role that they play in star formation. But how can we probe chemical reactions occurring literally light years from Earth? Our exhibit highlights the role of spectroscopy in unravelling these astrochemical reactions, detecting 'space molecules', and observing star and planet formation. Through tactile, eye-catching demonstrations, intuitive posters and videos, we make this interdisciplinary science accessible to the public. We will show how Astrochemistry is combining clues gleaned from the newest telescopes with sophisticated laboratory experiments and computer modelling, to specifically seek out the molecular markers of life. Our exhibit combines the expertise of Astrochemists from Strathclyde, UCL, Nottingham and the Open University, with the 'PUS' expertise of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The science described in the exhibit is based on the astrochemistry/astrophysics research currently underway in the research groups of Brown, Fraser, McCoustra and Mason and on the astronomy research underway in the research group of Viti. Much of this research is currently funded by the EPSRC. This area of science ideally lends itself to public understanding activities, as it is an unusual circumstance in any culture that a person has not looked at the night sky and wondered at their significance and where we come from. Perhaps this is why the public holds astronomy in such high-regard, and are knowledgeable enough to be open to advanced concepts related to our understanding of the universe. This interest is clearly confirmed by the popularity of Amateur Astronomy Clubs UK-wide, the popularity of Astronomy GCSE, A-Level and degree studies, and the high viewing figures for (any) space-based programming on the BBC and Discovery Channel. By combining it with chemistry, astronomy becomes even more exciting. Astrochemistry offers us a unique route to engaging adults, schoolchildren and students in the importance of cross-disciplinary work and the role of chemistry in the interstellar medium. It is clearly an inspirational subject / aspects of star and planet formation appear in Standard grade and Higher syllabi in Scotland and the equivalent school qualifications in England. We are confident, therefore, that the work this exhibit will describe will be accessible to all children and adults, widening general scientific literacy and supporting lifelong learning.
Publications
Noble J
(2011)
CO 2 FORMATION IN QUIESCENT CLOUDS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE CO + OH PATHWAY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Noble J
(2013)
A SURVEY OF H 2 O, CO 2 , AND CO ICE FEATURES TOWARD BACKGROUND STARS AND LOW-MASS YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS USING AKARI
in The Astrophysical Journal
Noble J
(2013)
The formation of carbon dioxide in molecular cores by a non-energetic route
in EAS Publications Series
Noble J
(2010)
2D mapping of ice species in molecular cores
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Noble J
(2012)
Thermal desorption characteristics of CO, O2 and CO2 on non-porous water, crystalline water and silicate surfaces at submonolayer and multilayer coverages Desorption from H2O(np), H2O(c) and SiOx
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Noble J. A.
(2009)
Probing the Chemistry of Molecular Cores: 2.5-5 µm AKARI Grism Spectroscopy of Young Stellar Objects in B35A
in AKARI, a Light to Illuminate the Misty Universe
Noble Jennifer A
(2014)
Unveiling the Surface Structure of Amorphous Solid Water via Selective Infrared Irradiation of OH Stretching Modes
in arXiv e-prints
Perotti G.
(2020)
Same, but different: the link between methanol gas and ice
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
Pilling S
(2014)
The temperature effect on the glycine decomposition induced by 2 keV electron bombardment in space analog conditions
in The European Physical Journal D
Pontoppidan K
(2008)
The c2d Spitzer Spectroscopic Survey of Ices around Low-Mass Young Stellar Objects. II. CO 2
in The Astrophysical Journal