Astrophysics Seminar
Laboratory astrochemistry from 10 K to 10000 K
Speaker: Dr. Bhalamurugan Sivaraman (Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad)
Extreme conditions are recreated on planet Earth to understand the physico-chemical nature of astromolecules. The astrochemical conditions range from the low-temperature icy mantles (10 K) to high temperature (10000 K) processes. For example, from carbon monoxide ice kept at < 10 K and irradiated by vacuum ultraviolet photons / electrons, for several hours, graphene can be synthesized, but the minerals in the interstellar medium are synthesized in an instant - within 2 millisecond. So, in the evolution of molecules of life leading to the Origin of Life - which extreme condition shall we consider, 10 K or 10000 K? And why is it Organics and not Inorganics that dominate our observations?