December 2024
Coffee Chat
Brett and Paola Caselli
The Grab & GO
Interstellar formation of lactaldehyde, a key intermediate in the methylglyoxal pathway
Wang et al. Nature Communications
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54562-x
Measurements and simulations of rate coefficients for the deuterated forms of the H2+ + H2 and H3+ + H2 reactive systems at low temperature
Jimenez-Redondo et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.02206
The physical and chemical structure of Sagittarius B2, VIII. Full molecular line survey of hot cores
Möller et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.04040
Modeling Complex Organic Molecules Formation in Cold Cores: Multi-phase Models with Non-thermal Mechanisms
Lu et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.06397
VUV photochemistry of cyclopropenone (c-C3H2O): formation rate and abundance ratios of propynal (HCCCHO) and propadienone (CH2CCO)
Ibrahim et al. PCCP
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/CP/D4CP03895A
Journey of complex organic molecules: Formation and transport in protoplanetary disks
Benest Couzinou et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.09271
Vibrational and Electronic Spectroscopy of 2-Cyanoindene Cations
Douglas-Walker et al. ACS E&SC
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.4c00270
Hydrogenation of acetaldehyde on interstellar ice analogs reveals limited destruction
Molpeceres et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.17529
Cosmic-ray-induced chemical processes in CH3OH, CH3NH2, and CH3OH:CH3NH2 ices
Keresztes et al. A&A
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/12/aa52170-24/aa52170-24.html
Low-temperature gas-phase formation of cyclopentadiene and its role in the formation of aromatics in the interstellar medium
Yang et al. PNAS
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2409933121
Single-Origin Brew
Brett chats with Chiara Schleif
Barista Bootcamp
The History of the detection of the 21-cm line of atomic Hydrogen
Go visit the Ewen Purcell horn at GBO! https://www.gb.nrao.edu/fgdocs/HI21cm/ephorn.html
Chalkboard
Job Openings
A PhD and a postdoc position in laser spectroscopy are available in the Jacovella group at the University of Paris-Saclay (France).
The experimental research involves ion mobility, mass spectrometry, and laser spectroscopy techniques applied to large carbon-rich molecular ions in the gas phase in the context of astrochemistry and astrophysics.
Available equipments include pulsed dye lasers and OPO laser systems. CRDS coupled to a discharge source mounted at the exit of a molecular beam. Ablation laser source and drift-tube mobility spectrometer. Cryo-ion trap coupled to TOF under construction. One project could also involve the development of a SLIM-based ion mobility spectrometer (all equipments available).
The group is also strongly involved in international collaborations with astronomers through different programs (PDR4ALL, EDIBLES, …) using different telescopes and facilities (JWST, VLT, OHP, ..) and is a regular user of the SOLEIL synchrotron facility (France).
Qualified candidates for the PhD position hold a master degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, or related fields. The position is 3 years and the successful applicant could serve as teaching assistant if interested.
The assessment of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The starting date for the PhD position is October 1st, 2025.
The starting date for the Postdoc position can fall between February 1st, 2025 and September 1st, 2025.
For further information, please contact ugo.jacovella@cnrs.fr
Upcoming Meetings
Astrochemistry and Astrobiology beyond the Second Period, PacifiChem 2025, 15-20 December 2025, Honolulu, HI, USA
The formation of molecules in extraterrestrial environments has fascinated scientists since the pioneering detection of CH, CH+, and CN. We now know of some 300 molecules in deep space ranging in complexity from diatomics such as molecular hydrogen (H2) to polyatomics like the sugar-related molecule glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO) and fullerenes (C60, C70). Whereas an understanding of the formation of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen (CHON) bearing organics in these extreme environments is beginning to emerge, the origin of molecules carrying third row atoms silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur have remained unanswered or contentious. In searching for answers to this question, we also obtain crucial information relevant to the chemistry of our immediate environment: the rules of chemistry, after all, are universal, even when the conditions are very different.
This symposium focuses on the interdisciplinary fields of astrochemistry and astrobiology, bringing together speakers from laboratory astrochemistry (dynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy), astrochemical modeling (physicists), theoretical astrochemistry (computational chemists), and observational astrochemistry (astronomers). By focussing on the interplay between observational data, kinetic modeling, electronic structure calculations, along with gas phase and ice laboratory studies, we seek to evaluate the generalized concepts on the formation of astrochemically important molecules carrying silicon (Si), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) – among them astrobiologically important molecules such as alkylsulfonic and alkylphosphonic acids. Through the exploration of the current boundaries of astrochemical knowledge, we can more effectively design new laboratory experiments and guide observations in space to resolve key unanswered aspects of molecular synthesis in extraterrestrial space. The symposium is very timely as observational capabilities have reached the sensitivity and resolution to achieve not only the mere detection, but also the spatial distribution of molecules, while the lessons learned from the formation of CHON organics will direct the search for the exotic formation routes of the isovalent silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus counterparts.
Abstract submission will open January 1st.
https://pacifichem.org/“Theoretical Insights into Star Formation: from the Early to the Present Day Universe” (6-9 May 2025, Pisa, Italy)
The planned sessions aim to provide a broad overview of star formation, covering the key areas of Galactic star formation, Magnetic fields, Cosmic rays and Astrochemistry. The discussion will also focus on the Early Universe followed by Chemical evolution and Nucleosynthesis, to explore the enrichment of elements underlying the diversity of stars and galaxies. A final session on the History of Astronomy will consider the last centuries of discoveries, relating historical developments to current theoretical knowledge.
This conference brings us together to acknowledge the career of Daniele Galli, whose work has advanced research on these topics, contributing to our knowledge of star formation in its many facets.
Abstract submission is open; participation in the conference is limited to about 100 people.
https://indico.ict.inaf.it/e/sfpisa2025Online Course in Spring 2025 - Global Astrochemistry Lecture Series "Astrochemistry: From the Big Bang to Life"
This lecture course will be devoted to astrochemistry and the exploration of topics related to the chemical origins of life. In 18 lectures from the world-leading experts, we will discuss the history of the early molecular universe starting from the Big Bang; environmental conditions and key physico-chemical processes in space; astronomical observations (from ground to space) of objects of astrochemical interest; chemical models describing astrophysical environments and their reaction networks; key laboratory techniques and approaches for studying astrochemical processes; chemistry in specific environments, such as the interstellar medium, protoplanetary disks, and atmospheres of (exo)planets; exogenous synthesis and delivery of biomolecule precursors; and, finally, evolution of these precursors on the early Earth.
GALS is aimed at providing a broad overview of scientific issues, problems, achievements, and open questions in astrochemistry; and at helping senior undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as early career scientists to expand their interests and develop a firm understanding of this area, sufficient to choose an appropriate direction for their future career. The course is open to students and scientists from all over the world.
GALS is an annual event organized by Robin Garrod (University of Virginia, USA), Wolf Geppert (Stockholm University, Sweden), Martin McCoustra (Heriot-Watt University, Scotland), and Alexey Potapov (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany). GALS will comprise of two parts: 14 core lectures and 4 special lectures. There will be a new topic for special lectures every year. For the coming semester, we have chosen JWST.
Registration: December 01 2024 - January 31 2025
https://www.astrochemistry.de/online-course/