Open problems and perspectives offered by current and future instruments

Free access article

Issue		EPJ Web of Conferences Volume 18, 2011 Chemistry in Astrophysical Media, AstrOHP 2010


Article Number		06002
Number of page(s)		13
Section		Prospectives: What are the Emerging Scientific Problems Related to Astrochemistry?
DOI		http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20111806002
Published online		27 January 2012

EPJ Web of Conferences 18, 06002 (2011)

Open problems and perspectives offered by current and future instruments

M. Gérin^a

LERMA, CNRS UMR8112, Observatoire de Paris, École Normale Supérieure and Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France

^a e-mail: maryvonne.gerin@ens.fr

Abstract

We summarize recent observational and theoretical results and discuss the open challenges for astrochemistry and the promises offered by the current and upcoming instruments. Some of the main challenges are listed below.

Characterization of the structure of the interstellar medium
Coupling of the matter with magnetic fields, role of cosmic rays
Coupling of the dynamics with the evolution of matter (chemistry, ionization degree, depletion, desorption)
Characterization of dust grains (composition, size, emissivity, polarization)
Evolution of the carbonaceous matter, PAHs, aggregates and Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) carriers
Oxygen chemistry and the low abundance of molecular oxygen
Nitrogen chemistry and its seeds, the nitrogen hydrides
Sulfur chemistry and the contribution of S⁺ to the charge balance of translucent matter
Neutral-neutral reactions involving simple radicals (CH, CH₂, OH, etc.).

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