Laboratory experiments
Context
Context
Different mechanisms have been invoked to explain the formation of complex molecules observed in the gas-phase in star forming regions:
Different mechanisms have been invoked to explain the formation of complex molecules observed in the gas-phase in star forming regions:
(1) reactions taking place on the grain surfaces during the cold prestellar phase of grain mantle formation (e.g., Tielens & Hagen 1982) and existence (e.g., Garrod & Herbst 2006); (2) gas-phase ion-molecule reactions in cold and dense gas (e.g., Duley & Williams 1984; Caselli & Ceccarelli 2012);
(1) reactions taking place on the grain surfaces during the cold prestellar phase of grain mantle formation (e.g., Tielens & Hagen 1982) and existence (e.g., Garrod & Herbst 2006); (2) gas-phase ion-molecule reactions in cold and dense gas (e.g., Duley & Williams 1984; Caselli & Ceccarelli 2012);
(3) gas-phase reactions taking place in the protostellar phase, once the icy mantles sublimate in the warm regions (e.g., Charnley et al. 1995);
(3) gas-phase reactions taking place in the protostellar phase, once the icy mantles sublimate in the warm regions (e.g., Charnley et al. 1995);
(4) UV and X-ray photons irradiation and low-energy cosmic rays bombardment (often referred to as energetic processing) of the mantles during the star formation process (e.g. Palumbo and Strazzulla 1993).
(4) UV and X-ray photons irradiation and low-energy cosmic rays bombardment (often referred to as energetic processing) of the mantles during the star formation process (e.g. Palumbo and Strazzulla 1993).
Goals
Goals
The main objectives of our activity are:
The main objectives of our activity are:
(i) Studies of chemical and physical properties of dust in driving the synthesis and degradation of prebiotic biomolecules in space-simulated conditions;
(i) Studies of chemical and physical properties of dust in driving the synthesis and degradation of prebiotic biomolecules in space-simulated conditions;
(ii) Studies of atom irradiation on carbonaceous grain surface at different temperatures.
(ii) Studies of atom irradiation on carbonaceous grain surface at different temperatures.
(iii) Studies of the effects of ion bombardment (200-400 keV) on nitrogen-bearing ice mixtures (10-20 K) to investigate the formation of complex organic molecules which contain nitrogen.
(iii) Studies of the effects of ion bombardment (200-400 keV) on nitrogen-bearing ice mixtures (10-20 K) to investigate the formation of complex organic molecules which contain nitrogen.
(iv) Studies of the effects of UV and X-ray irradiation of interstellar ice analogs of different composition.
(iv) Studies of the effects of UV and X-ray irradiation of interstellar ice analogs of different composition.
Synergies
Synergies
We are coordinating the INAF laboratory activities in the experimental studies of solid state processes of astrophysical materials. The expertise and the instrumentation available in the four laboratories involved in this project are complementary to each other. Our long standing collaboration has led to demonstrate the formation of complex molecules after energetic processing of simple ices (e.g. Modica+ 2010 ; Ciaravella+ 2016) as well as the preservation of such organics in harsh astronomical environments (Brucato 2014 ; Mennella 2015).
We are coordinating the INAF laboratory activities in the experimental studies of solid state processes of astrophysical materials. The expertise and the instrumentation available in the four laboratories involved in this project are complementary to each other. Our long standing collaboration has led to demonstrate the formation of complex molecules after energetic processing of simple ices (e.g. Modica+ 2010 ; Ciaravella+ 2016) as well as the preservation of such organics in harsh astronomical environments (Brucato 2014 ; Mennella 2015).
LABORATORIO DI ASTROBIOLOGIA DI ARCETRI
LABORATORIO DI ASTROBIOLOGIA DI ARCETRI
LABORATORIO DI FISICA COSMICA DI CAPODIMONTE
LABORATORIO DI FISICA COSMICA DI CAPODIMONTE
LABORATORIO DI ASTROFISICA SPERIMENTALE DI CATANIA
LABORATORIO DI ASTROFISICA SPERIMENTALE DI CATANIA
LIGHT IRRADIATION FACILITY FOR EXOCHEMISTRY - LIFE - PALERMO
LIGHT IRRADIATION FACILITY FOR EXOCHEMISTRY - LIFE - PALERMO
Guarda il video sul LIGHT IRRADIATION FACILITY FOR EXOCHEMISTRY - LIFE - PALERMO
Guarda il video sul LIGHT IRRADIATION FACILITY FOR EXOCHEMISTRY - LIFE - PALERMO
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