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2005
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Astrochemistry - From Laboratory Studies to Astronomical Observations -
(Pacifichem 2005 - Symposium 47)
Dec. 18 - 20, 2005, Honolulu, Hawai'i
The formation of molecules in extraterrestrial environments has fascinated
scientists since the pioneering detection, of CH and CN in interstellar space.
We now know of about 130 species, ranging in complexity from diatomics such as
molecular hydrogen to polyatomics like the sugar glycolaldehyde, benzene,
and cyanopentaacetylene, which have been identified as gas-phase constituents
of extraterrestrial environments. Nevertheless, many facets of the question
"How do these molecules arise?" remain unanswered or contentious. This symposium
focuses on the interdisciplinary field of astrochemistry, bringing together
speakers from the fields of laboratory astrochemistry (dynamics, kinetics,
and spectroscopy), astrochemical modeling (physicists), theoretical
astrochemistry (computational chemists), and observational astrochemistry
(astronomers). By focusing on the interplay between observational data,
kinetic modeling, and fundamental investigations of the details of specific
molecular processes, we seek also to evaluate the emerging generalized
concepts on the formation of astrochemically important molecules on the
molecular level. Furthermore, by exploring the current boundaries of
astrochemical knowledge, we can more effectively design new laboratory
experiments under well-defined conditions (and recommend promising directions
for further astronomical searches) to resolve critical unanswered aspects of
molecular synthesis in extraterrestrial space on the molecular level.
[
Website]
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IAU Symposium 231 : Astrochemistry - Recent Successes and Current Challenges -
Aug. 29 - Sep. 2, 2005
The IAU will hold the next in its series of Astrochemistry Symposia between
August 29 and September 2, 2005. Entitled 'Astrochemistry Throughout the Universe:
Recent Successes and Current Challenges', the conference will take place at
the Asilomar Conference Grounds, on the Pacific Coast near Monterey in California.
The conference is being organized by Caltech.
[
Abstracts]
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'Bumpy Space Dust' Explains Origin of Most Common Molecule in Universe - Jul. 2005
Science fiction writer Harlan Ellison once said that the most common elements
in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. While the verdict is still out on
the volume of stupidity, scientists have long known that hydrogen is indeed by
far the most abundant element in the universe. When they peer through their
telescopes, they see hydrogen in the vast clouds of dust and gas between stars
--- especially in the denser regions that are collapsing to form new stars and
planets. But one mystery has remained: Why is much of that hydrogen in molecular
form --- with two hydrogen atoms bonded together --- rather than its single
atomic form? Where did all that molecular hydrogen come from? Ohio State
University researchers, including Distinguished University Professor Eric Herbst,
recently decided to try to figure it out. For the complete story, see
OSU-Research News
This research was also featured in Nature. For the complete story, see
Nature.
[
physics dep. news]
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Mini Symposium : Large Astronomical Molecules - Jun. 22 - Jun. 24, 2005
This is one of special sessions in the 60th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy
held at OSU. Eric Herbst, The Ohio State University, and Lew Snyder, University of Illinois,
are organizing a mini-symposium on astrophysical applications titled, "Large Astronomical
Molecules." Invited speakers include Dominique Bockelee-Morvan, Observatoire de Paris a
Meudon; Mike Hollis, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Christine Joblin, CNRS; and Peter Sarre,
University of Nottingham.
[
session schedule]
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