Gianfranco Vidali, professor of physics at Syracuse University, will present “Cosmic Low
Temperature Physics: Making Molecules
on Stardust” on Friday, March 27, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. in Weyandt Hall, room 331.
Abstract
Over
180 different molecular species have been detected in the interstellar
medium. Although many of the molecules
form in the gas phase, there are some that are formed on surfaces of dust
grains. Among these, molecular hydrogen
and water are perhaps the most important because of their role in
astrophysics (star formation) and astrochemistry/astrobiology. In the last decade, advances in observations
via space telescopes and in laboratory techniques have led to great progress in
characterizing the molecular universe. After
an introduction about molecules and dust in the interstellar medium, Vidali
will present examples of how laboratory work and theoretical simulations have
enabled us to understand how molecules form on stardust and how they influence
the chemical evolution of the cosmos. Furthermore, Vidali will show how specific knowledge acquired in the
laboratory is guiding observations of actual processes in space.
Department of Physics