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Ion chemistry in the interstellar medium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2008

Oscar Martinez Jr. ,
Theodore P. Snow  and
Veronica M. Bierbaum
Oscar Martinez Jr.
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0215, U.S.A. email: oscar.martinez@colorado.edu, theodore.snow@colorado.edu, veronica.bierbaum@colorado.edu
Theodore P. Snow
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0215, U.S.A. email: oscar.martinez@colorado.edu, theodore.snow@colorado.edu, veronica.bierbaum@colorado.edu
Veronica M. Bierbaum
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0215, U.S.A. email: oscar.martinez@colorado.edu, theodore.snow@colorado.edu, veronica.bierbaum@colorado.edu
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Abstract

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Without accurate data on reaction rates and branching ratios, models of interstellar chemistry are unreliable. Recent research has identified a number of reactions of unusual importance because the rates and branching ratios are unknown or poorly known. Efforts to expand and improve on current databases are underway using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube (FA-SIFT) coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Our current focus is on the reactions of C+, a major cation in the interstellar medium, with the neutrals O2, H2O, CH4, NH3 and C2H2. Future planned work includes studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), developing comprehensive pathways for their formation, and identification of those PAHs important to interstellar chemistry. The recent discovery of ISM anions has highlighted the importance of examining mechanisms of anionic chemistry in the interstellar medium, and we plan to obtain data relevant to the formation and destruction processes of molecular anions in space.

Keywords

Astrobiologyastrochemistryastronomical data bases: miscellaneousISM: evolutionISM: kinematics and dynamicsISM: molecules
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 4 , Symposium S251: Organic Matter in Space , February 2008 , pp. 139 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2008

References

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