May 2024
The Grab & GO
Chemistry in externally FUV irradiated disks in the outskirts of the Orion Nebula
Diaz-Berrios et al. arXiv (ApJ)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.00615
The rotation-tunneling spectrum of 3-hydroxypropenal and confirmation of its detection toward IRAS 16293−2422 B
Müller et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.01338
Laboratory and astronomical discovery of cyanothioketene, NCCHCS, in the cold starless core TMC-1
Cabezas et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.02033
Photoprocessing of cationic triazacoronene: Dissociation characteristics of polycyclic nitrogen heterocycles in interstellar environments
Schleier et al. PCCP
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/CP/D4CP01387E
Formation of N-bearing complex organic molecules in molecular clouds: Ketenimine, acetonitrile, acetaldimine, and vinylamine via the UV photolysis of C2H2 ice
Chuang et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.07855
Chemical inventory of the envelope of the Class I protostar L1551 IRS 5
Marchand et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.08517
Chemistry across dust and gas gaps in protoplanetary disks: modelling the co-spatial molecular rings in the HD 100546 disk
Leemker et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.10361
First close-coupling study of the excitation of a large cyclic molecule: collision of c-C5H6 with He
Demes et al. PCCP
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/CP/D4CP01380H
A low cosmic-ray ionisation rate in the prestellar core Ophiuchus/H-MM1. Mapping of the molecular ions ortho-H2D+, N2H+, and DCO+
Harju et al. arXiv (A&A)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.20004
Design and Implementation of a New Apparatus for Astrochemistry: Kinetic Measurements of the CH + OCS Reaction and Frequency Comb Spectroscopy in a Cold Uniform Supersonic Flow
Lucas et al. arXiv
https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.18814
Double Shot
Interview with Rebecca Firth
Rebecca's paper on AlO, AlOH, and Al(OH)3
Interview with Harshal Gupta
Harshal's paper on the laboratory spectroscopy and astronomical discovery of CaC2
Chalkboard
PhD, Postdoc, and Job Opportunities
There is a postdoctoral position available in the group of Julia Lehman at the University of Birmingham, UK. The postdoc position is aimed at studying low temperature chemistry relevant to the interstellar medium. The group’s new apparatus currently combines a supersonic flow of cold gas with various spectroscopic techniques, such as laser-induced fluorescence and frequency comb spectroscopy, to measure the kinetics of chemical reactions at low temperatures and to spectroscopically characterize molecular species. Suitable candidates would have laser spectroscopy expertise, and preferably experience in working with chemistry in the gas phase. Julia is happy to chat via Zoom or email with interested candidates.
The closing date for applications is quickly approaching: 10th June 2024
https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/4775/?utm_medium=jobsharePhD Position Joint between Rennes (France) and Leuven (Belgium) on Reactive Collisions of Interest for Astrophysics with Lique and Loreau.
One of the keys to determine the physical conditions prevailing in astrophysical environments as well as their chemical evolution is the knowledge of the excitation conditions and chemistry of astrophysical molecules. Despite significant progresses made over the last decades, there is still a huge lack of collisional and reactive data for these species, which prevents to make the most of nowadays highly resolved observations performed with ground-based telescopes such as ALMA or space-based telescope such as JWST. In addition, recent astrochemical models have highlighted the need of using state-to-state rate coefficients for molecular collisions and reactions in order to fully exploit recent observations of highly excited molecules. The calculations of such data using exact quantum methods are not possible mainly because of their computational cost. Hence, important methodological developments remain to be done in order to provide astronomers with reliable data. This thesis subject fits into this context and is dedicated to the study of the collisional excitation and reactivity of astrophysical ions (e.g. CH+, CH2+, H2O+, HeH+, …) detected in astrophysical and atmospherical environments. In particular, the development and the use of statistical methods should enable the possibility to obtain precise state-to-state data for the study of media of astrophysical and atmospherical interest. Participation in the interpretation of observations will be a natural extension of this project and will allow the candidate to investigate the impact of these new data on the astrophysical / atmospherical modeling.
The joint PhD project will be co-supervised by François Lique (Rennes, France) and Jérôme Loreau (Leuven, Belgium). The PhD candidate is expected to spend ~75% of his research time at the University of Rennes and 25% of his research time in KU Leuven. Possibility of participating to teaching activities will be offered to the PhD candidate.
Application requires a CV, Motivation Letter, Names of Two References, and an Interview to Follow Review of Application. Application should be sent to both François LIQUE (francois.lique@univ-rennes.fr) and Jerome Loreau (jerome.loreau@kuleuven.be).PhD Position available in Edinburgh, UK on Electron Driven Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium joint between the groups of Cate Anstoter and Ewen Campbell . The project will combine computational chemistry and gas-phase spectroscopy to probe electron driven chemistry of astrochemically relevant species in the interstellar medium (ISM). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are purported to be the largest charge carrier in the ISM, here we propose to use computational chemistry to model the intrinsic electronic structure and dynamics alongside spectroscopy. Historically research has hinged around an understanding of neutrals and cations in the ISM, despite the prevalence of free electrons and the redox chemistry that is proposed to drive the formation of molecules. Here we propose to probe electron attachment and detachment to hetero-PAHs, developing new computational protocols and benchmarking against electronic and vibrational spectra. The synergy between theory and experiment allows an unambiguous understanding of the fundamental chemistry, critical to answering several questions of societal interest.
In the first instance, the initial application (including cover letter and CV) should be directed to:
Cate Anstöter, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK. Email: Cate.anstoter@ed.ac.uk
The position will remain open until 30 August 2024.
Upcoming Meetings
Once Upon a Time, Our Astrochemical History
July 3-4
ESA Meeting, PadovaThe 27th International Conference on High Resolution Molecular Spectroscopy
September 2-6
Bologna, ItalyBorn in Fire: Eruptive Stars and Planet Formation
September 24-27
Santiago, ChileCosmic Rays: The Salt of the Star Formation Recipe Vol 3
October 22-24
Florence, Italy