MOLECULAR UNIVERSE · The molecular universe: an interdisciplinary programme on the physics and chemistry of molecules in space
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2004-10-01 → 2008-09-30
- EU contribution
- €2,804,845
- Participants
- 21
- Scheme
- RTN
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - MOLECULAR UNIVERSE (The Molecular Universe: An interdisciplinary programme on the physics and chemistry of molecules in space)
The MOLECULAR UNIVERSE is a network of 21 European institutes in 9 countries that are all very active in various areas of molecular astrophysics. This highly interdisciplinary research area combines astronomy, physics, and chemistry on molecules of astronomical relevance. The scientific goals of the MOLECULAR UNIVERSE network focus on understanding the origin and evolution of molecular complexity in space and the role of molecules in shaping the universe around us, specifically in regions of star and planet formation. The research of the MOLECULAR UNIVERSE network is directly linked to the interpretation and analysis of the data that will be obtained by the Herschel Space Observatory - which will be launched by the European Space Agency in 2006 - and the ALMA sub-millimeter interferometer - which is under construction by the European Southern Observatory on the Chilean high-planes. Among the many scientific accomplishments of the network, we highlight two areas. First, gaseous water is thought to play a key role in the physics and chemistry of the Universe, particularly in regions of star and planet formation. The Herschel satellite -which will be launched by the European Space Agency in the spring of 2009 - is set to chart the waters of Universe in detail. The MOLECULAR UNIVERSE network has studied the molecular physics of water that will enable a quantitative interpretation of the data that Herschel will deliver. Second, experimental studies of the chemistry of carbonaceous species provides another highlight of the research performed by the network. This includes on the one hand, reactions among simple species building up more complex molecules and on the other hand, the breakdown of more complex molecules through energetic photons. These processes play a key role in the origin and evolution of complex molecules in space.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Molecules are an important component of the universe which dominate the cooling and degree of ionization of interstellar gas clouds and, hence, regulate star and planet formation. The exploration of paths towards chemical complexity in space has direct bea ring on the origin and evolution of life. Moreover, molecular transitions provide a sensitive probe of the dynamics and the physical and chemical conditions in a wide range of objects at scales ranging from newly formed planetary systems to galactic and ex tragalactic sizes. Near-future large scale observatories by the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory - in partnership with American and Far-East organizations - will open up the universe to high spatial and spectral resolution studie s of molecules and, hence, the study of the key astrophysical and astrochemical processes involved in the formation and evolution of planets, stars, and galaxies. These new missions will lead to a multitude of molecular line data in a variety of astrophysi cal environments. Identification, analysis, and interpretation of this data in terms of the physical and chemical characteristics of the astronomical sources and the origin and evolution of the molecular universe will require a concerted effort by physicis ts, chemists, and astronomers in the areas of molecular spectroscopy, collisional excitation processes, chemical reactions, and astronomical modelling on species of astrophysical relevance. The results of this expert effort need to be made easly accessible to the scientific community through web-based data archives. The Research and Training Network on the Molecular Universe provides a cohesive framework for the training and development of researchers in the early stages of their career, combining European researchers in the areas of laboratory spectroscopy, laboratory astrochemistry, molecular quantum mechanical studies, astronomical modellers, and experts on data bases and web interfaces.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN · GRONINGENCoordinatorNetherlands
- CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE · PARISFrance
- CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MADRIDSpain
- GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITäT GöTTINGEN · GöTTINGENCountry levelGermany
- GöTEBORG UNIVERSITY · GöTEBORGCountry levelSweden
- OBSERVATOIRE DE PARIS-MEUDON · PARISFrance
- STICHTING KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT · NIJMEGENNetherlands
- THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OXFORDUnited Kingdom
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PERUGIA · PERUGIAItaly
- UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN · LEIDENNetherlands
- UNIVERSITY OF BASEL · BASELCity levelSwitzerland
- UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM · DURHAMUnited Kingdom
- UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · MANCHESTERUnited Kingdom
- UNIVERSITé BORDEAUX I · TALENCECity levelFrance
- UNIVERSITé DE RENNES 1 · RENNESFrance
- UNIVERSITé DES SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIES DE LILLE · VILLENEUVE D'ASCQCity levelFrance
- UNIVERSITé JOSEPH FOURIER GRENOBLE 1 · GRENOBLECity levelFrance
- UNIVERSITé PARIS XI PARIS-SUD · ORSAY CEDEXCity levelFrance
- UNIVERSITé PAUL SABATIER - TOULOUSE III · TOULOUSECity levelFrance
- UNIVERSITÿT ZU KÿLN · COLOGNECity levelGermany
- WARSAW UNIVERSITY · WARSZAWAPoland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union