ASTROCHEMISTRY

Brett A. McGuire (NRAO)

Sixteenth Synthesis Imaging Workshop

16-23 May 2018

1
 HISTORY AND CONTEXT
AS • TRO • CHEM • IS • TRY
/ astrō’kemǝstrē /

(n) the study of molecules in space - where they are,

how they got there, and what they are doing

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 2

 HISTORY AND CONTEXT
First Stars Born
First Stars Die
‘Heavy’ Element Synthesis

Stellar Nursery

New Stars
Big Bang
H, He
Fiery Cataclysm
(Whomp whomp)

Life! (Awww) Planet Formation

Chemical Delivery

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 3

 FUNDAMENTAL DRIVING QUESTION OF
ASTROCHEMISTRY

How do you make a cat from H and He?

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 4

 HISTORY AND CONTEXT
AS • TRO • CHEM • IS • TRY
/ astrō’kemǝstrē /

(n) the study of molecules in space - where they are,

how they got there, and what they are doing
1937

First Molecule
(CH) Detected

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 5

 HISTORY AND CONTEXT
AS • TRO • CHEM • IS • TRY
/ astrō’kemǝstrē /

(n) the study of molecules in space - where they are,

how they got there, and what they are doing
1937

1940

1963

1980

2018
First Molecule CN, CH+, OH 59 More 139+ More
(CH) Detected Detected Molecules Detected Molecules Detected

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WHY DO I CARE?

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 WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
HL Tau TW Hydrae Elias 2-27

Brogan, ALMA et al. Andrews et al. Pérez et al.

(2015 ApJL 808, L3) (2018 ApJL 820, L40) (2016 Science 353, 6307)

Do these gaps correspond to snow lines?

How much H2O is available for these planets?
What’s the C/O ratio?
Can you tell me where a planet formed?
Did it move?

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 8

WHAT CAN ASTROCHEMISTRY DO FOR YOU?
We can tell you why that SiO emission in your
source is probably a good tracer of a shock

We can tell you whether that comet you observed

was probably formed in a very cold environment,
and maybe even where in the disk

We can tell you whether that CH3OH maser you’re

observing is collisionally or radiatively pumped

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 9

 WHAT CAN ASTROCHEMISTRY DO FOR YOU?
Question

“Where can I find a table of molecules and what they trace?”

Answer

Hopefully nowhere

What astrochemistry can provide is the ability to draw

contextualized conclusions on physical conditions and
evolutionary history of an observed source based on the
synthesis of laboratory, observational, and modeling studies

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 10

LABORATORY ASTROCHEMICAL
ASTROCHEMISTRY
Figure 2. Quadrupole mass spectrometer signal as a function of temperature during a TPD experiment after six sequential depositions
on a bare silicate surface at 10 K. The peak at T ∼ 188 K indicates desorption of hydroxylamine (NH2 OH, mass = 33 amu). NH2 OH
mass spectrometer head upon ionization, resulting in NO + , OH + , and NH+2 fragments. Low temperature peaks for mass = 30 and 17

ASTROPHYSICS MODELING
NO molecules and OH fragments with water at T ∼ 150 K. The traces are offset for clarity.
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Thermodynamics

Species and Reactions of Interest

Figure 3. Fractional abundance of species involved in nitrogen chemistry for an astrochemical model in which the effect of an NO hy
Solid lines are with NO + H and dashed lines do not take this surface reaction into account. The left panel indicates gas-phase spe
Te Ro
grain-surface abundance with respect to the gas-phase density of H nuclei (nH = n(H) + 2n(H2 )).
s
m ie
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)
s es,
pe an tat e c i e
r inhomogeneity.
ra
tu d ion
Ele al SpUV photons (Nishi et al. 1984) reactionnscheme
studies showed the formation of NH OH by irradiating a mix-
2 timescale and
a nc NH OHTof
to icefacilitates
d 2010). The experimental condi- a gas–grain nd (Hasegawa
ture of NH and H O ices with
an res ve umodel
3 2 2
and electrons (Zheng &nKaiser
d , A ct , Vi a fully trepresentative for quiescent cold
s where s l isIn b are chosen
et al. 1

De b ro br tions used there are not

t e
n ter by our results. The astronomical ic “TMC a
used that
A e s
comprises a full gas and

ns un
nic at dense clouds, regions
present in theeice as indicated
NH OH is
2 assumed to be already Conditions
s , s iti et al. 2010). Thep
as in the

Sp iona nis discussed below. m rshown 1” (Semenov

itie da relevance
o nmof NO + IH
o f h ewell
t u
e inenFigure 3. The reaction betw
s nc ec l, v ir
Interstellar temperatures and substrates can be
C ra HdandDNO
rather current chemical networks (dashed li

es tra n
reproduced
Erepresentative
in the laboratory, but experiments are not fully
of dark cloud conditions, especially in terms peof anAlong this reaction pathway, no NH O
2and NH OH is usually for
2

, m 2

Te 3

OBSERVATIONAL
ASTRONOMY

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 11

LABORATORY ASTROCHEMICAL
ASTROCHEMISTRY
Figure 2. Quadrupole mass spectrometer signal as a function of temperature during a TPD experiment after six sequential depositions
on a bare silicate surface at 10 K. The peak at T ∼ 188 K indicates desorption of hydroxylamine (NH2 OH, mass = 33 amu). NH2 OH
mass spectrometer head upon ionization, resulting in NO + , OH + , and NH+2 fragments. Low temperature peaks for mass = 30 and 17

ASTROPHYSICS MODELING
NO molecules and OH fragments with water at T ∼ 150 K. The traces are offset for clarity.
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Figure 3. Fractional abundance of species involved in nitrogen chemistry for an astrochemical model in which the effect of an NO hy
Solid lines are with NO + H and dashed lines do not take this surface reaction into account. The left panel indicates gas-phase spe
grain-surface abundance with respect to the gas-phase density of H nuclei (nH = n(H) + 2n(H2 )).
Ro (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

an tat
d ion studies showed the formation of NH2 OH by irradiating a mix- timescale and ice inhomogeneity. To
Ele al ture of NH3 and H2 O ices with UV photons (Nishi et al. 1984) reaction scheme facilitates NH2 OH f
ct , Vi and electrons (Zheng & Kaiser 2010). The experimental condi- a gas–grain model (Hasegawa et al. 1
ro br tions used there are not fully representative for quiescent cold is used that comprises a full gas and
nic at dense clouds, regions where NH2 OH is assumed to be already Conditions are chosen as in the p

Sp iona
present in the ice as indicated by our results. The astronomical “TMC 1” (Semenov et al. 2010). The
relevance of NO + H is discussed below. shown in Figure 3. The reaction betw
ec l, Interstellar temperatures and substrates can be rather well current chemical networks (dashed li
tra reproduced in the laboratory, but experiments are not fully
representative of dark cloud conditions, especially in terms of
H2 and NO and NH2 OH is usually for
Along this reaction pathway, no NH2 O

OBSERVATIONAL
ASTRONOMY

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 12

 LABORATORY SPECTROSCOPY
Rotational ‘Microwave’ Spectroscopy
C O >90%
• <2000 GHz; Permanent Dipole Moment Req’d

(Ro-)Vibrational Spectroscopy
C O • (Far-)Infrared; Permanent Dipole Moment Not Req’d

• Each vibrational level also has rotational transitions

Electronic (Rovibronic) Spectroscopy

n=1
• UV-Visible; Permanent Dipole Moment Not Req’d

• Each electronic level also has vibrational and 

n=0 rotational transitions

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 13

 LABORATORY SPECTROSCOPY
Rotational ‘Microwave’ Spectroscopy
C O >90%
• <2000 GHz; Permanent Dipole Moment Req’d

(Ro-)Vibrational Spectroscopy
C O • (Far-)Infrared; Permanent Dipole Moment Not Req’d

• Each vibrational level also has rotational transitions

Electronic (Rovibronic) Spectroscopy

n=1
• UV-Visible; Permanent Dipole Moment Not Req’d

• Each electronic level also has vibrational and 

n=0 rotational transitions

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ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

C O

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ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

C O

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ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

C O

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 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

To first order, the rotational frequencies

of a molecule are determined exclusively C O
by its structure.

To ∞-order, no two molecules can share

the same rotational spectrum. A
rotational spectrum is a unique
molecular fingerprint.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 18

 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Direct Absorption

molecules

in
detector
tunable

radiation

vacuum

pump

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 19

 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Direct Absorption

molecules

in
reflector
tunable

radiation

detector
• 0 - 2+ THz vacuum

• Relatively broad lines pump

• 10-25 kHz accuracy

• Modest sensitivity
• Slow

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 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

It’s an FFT. Our power is distributed over one mode, and

amplified in cavity.

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 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

It’s an FFT. Our power is distributed over one mode, and

amplified in cavity.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 22

 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

It’s an FFT. Our power is distributed over one mode, and

amplified in cavity.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 23

 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

It’s an FFT. Our power is distributed over one mode, and

amplified in cavity.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 24

ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 25

ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
Cavity FTMW

• 0 - 45 GHz
• Extremely narrow lines
• <1 kHz accuracy
• Very high sensitivity
• Slow

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 26

 ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
CP-FTMW

Remove the cavity

Excite at all frequencies at once (say 8-18 GHz)

Collect FID and FFT

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 27

ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
CP-FTMW

• 0-45 GHz (ish)

• Modest width lines
• 10-25 kHz accuracy
• Modest sensitivity
• Fast

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 28

 DELIVERABLE PROCESS
Measure 101 - 104 lines

Determine the rotational constants to high accuracy

Use those constants to predict other unmeasured lines and

construct a ‘complete’ spectrum

Publish

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 29

ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY DATABASES

McGuire et al. 2018 Science 359, 202

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 30

Splatalogue
ALMA OT ROTATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY DATABASES

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 31

LABORATORY ASTROCHEMICAL
ASTROCHEMISTRY
Figure 2. Quadrupole mass spectrometer signal as a function of temperature during a TPD experiment after six sequential depositions
on a bare silicate surface at 10 K. The peak at T ∼ 188 K indicates desorption of hydroxylamine (NH2 OH, mass = 33 amu). NH2 OH
mass spectrometer head upon ionization, resulting in NO + , OH + , and NH+2 fragments. Low temperature peaks for mass = 30 and 17

ASTROPHYSICS MODELING
NO molecules and OH fragments with water at T ∼ 150 K. The traces are offset for clarity.
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Figure 3. Fractional abundance of species involved in nitrogen chemistry for an astrochemical model in which the effect of an NO hy
Solid lines are with NO + H and dashed lines do not take this surface reaction into account. The left panel indicates gas-phase spe
Te Ro
grain-surface abundance with respect to the gas-phase density of H nuclei (nH = n(H) + 2n(H2 )).

m (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

s es,
pe an tat i e
r inhomogeneity.
ra
tu d ion
Ele al
studies showed the formation of NH OH by irradiating a mix-
2 timescale and
reactionnscheme a nc NH OHTof
to icefacilitates
nd (Hasegawa
ture of NH and H O ices with UV photons (Nishi et al. 1984)
an res ve umodel
3 2 2

d , A ct , Vi and electrons (Zheng & Kaiser 2010). The experimental condi- a gas–grain
isIn b are chosen
et al. 1
ro br dense clouds, regions where NH OH is assumed to be already alConditions s
tions used there are not fully representative for quiescent cold used that comprises a full gas and
De b A e
nic at present in the ice as indicated by our results. The astronomical ic “TMC iti et al. 2010). The
as in the p
ns un
2

s , 1” (Semenov
s
itie da Sp iona e m e inenFigure 3. The reaction betw
rshown
Interstellar temperatures and substrates can be ratherh well tu current
relevance of NO + H is discussed below.

s nc ec l, C ra HdandDNO chemical networks (dashed li

tra peof anAlong this reaction pathway, no NH O
reproduced in the laboratory, but experiments are not fully and NH OH is usually for
es representative of dark cloud conditions, especially in terms
2 2

, m 2

Te 3

OBSERVATIONAL
ASTRONOMY

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 32

 INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS
TMC-1

GBT Obs.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 33

 INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS
TMC-1

GBT Obs.

CH2CN
Lab Freqs.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 34

 INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS
NGC 6334I Common Species methoxymethanol
(ALMA Obs) (Lab Freqs.) (Lab Freqs.)

McGuire et al. 2017 ApJL 851, L46

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 35

WHAT HAS BEEN GLOSSED OVER/IGNORED?
How do we predict the relative intensities of the lines in
observations?

Intrinsic Line Strength

Excitation Temperature (Tex)
Background Continuum
Beam Size vs Source Size
Linewidth
Excitation Conditions (Radiation/Density)
Optical Depth

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 36

 INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS
2 Atoms 3 Atoms 4 Atoms 5 Atoms 6 Atoms 7 Atoms 8 Atoms 9 Atoms
H2 SiS C3 SiCN c-C3H H2CS C5 C5H C6H CH3C3N CH3C4H
AlF CS C2H AlNC l-C3H H3O+ C4H l-H2C4 CH2CHCN HC(O)OCH3 CH3CH2CN
AlCl HF C2O SiNC C3N c-SiC3 C4Si C3H4 CH3C2H CH3COOH (CH3)2O
C2 HD C2S HCP C3O CH3 l-C3H2 CH3CN HC5N C7H CH3CH2OH
CH FeO CH2 CCP C3S C3N- c-C3H2 CH3NC CH3CHO C6H2 HC7N
CH+ O2 HCN AlOH C2H2 PH3 H2CCN CH3OH CH3NH2 CH2OHCHO C8H
CN CF+ HCO H2O+ NH3 HCNO CH4 CH3SH c-C2H4O l-HC6H CH3C(O)NH2
CO SiH HCO+ H2Cl+ HCCN HOCN HC3N HC3NH+ H2CCHOH CH2CHCHO C8H-
CO+ PO HCS+ KCN HCNH+ HSCN HC2NC HC2CHO C6H- CH2CCHCN C3H6
CP AlO HOC+ FeCN HNCO H2O2 HCOOH NH2CHO CH3NCO H2NCH2CN CH3CH2SH
SiC OH+ H2O HO2 HNCS C3H+ H2CNH C5N HC5O CH3CHNH CH3NHCHO
HCl CN- H2S TiO2 HOCO+ HMgNC H2C2O l-HC4H CH3SiH3
KCl SH+ HNC C2N H2CO HCCO H2NCN l-HC4N
NH SH HNO Si2C H2CN HNC3 c-H2C3O
NO HCl+ MgCN HS2 SiH4 H2CCNH 10 Atoms 11 Atoms
NS TiO MgNC NCO H2COH+ C5N- CH3C5N HC9N
NaCl ArH+ N2H+ HSC C4H- HNCHCN (CH3)2CO CH3C6H
OH N2 N2O HCS HC(O)CN SiH3CN (CH2OH)2 C2H5OCHO
PN NO+ NaCN HNCNH CH3CH2CHO CH3OC(O)CH3
SO NS+ OCS CH3O CH3CHCH2O
SO+ SO2 NH4+ CH3OCH2OH
SiN
SiO
c-SiC2
CO2
H2NCO+
NCCNH+ 202 Individual 12 Atoms >12 Atoms
NH2 CH3Cl
H3+ H2NCO+ Species c-C6H6
C2H5OCH3
c-C6H5CN
C60
n-C3H7CN C60+
i-C3H7CN C70

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 37

INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS

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INTERSTELLAR DETECTIONS

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 39

 DELIVERABLES
• Spatial distributions
C2H5CN • Excitation conditions
• Column densities

CH3COCH3

CH3OCH3

Friedel et al. 2008 ApJ 672, 962

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 40

LABORATORY ASTROCHEMICAL
ASTROCHEMISTRY
Figure 2. Quadrupole mass spectrometer signal as a function of temperature during a TPD experiment after six sequential depositions
on a bare silicate surface at 10 K. The peak at T ∼ 188 K indicates desorption of hydroxylamine (NH2 OH, mass = 33 amu). NH2 OH
mass spectrometer head upon ionization, resulting in NO + , OH + , and NH+2 fragments. Low temperature peaks for mass = 30 and 17

ASTROPHYSICS MODELING
NO molecules and OH fragments with water at T ∼ 150 K. The traces are offset for clarity.
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Thermodynamics

Species and Reactions of Interest

Figure 3. Fractional abundance of species involved in nitrogen chemistry for an astrochemical model in which the effect of an NO hy
Solid lines are with NO + H and dashed lines do not take this surface reaction into account. The left panel indicates gas-phase spe
Te Ro
grain-surface abundance with respect to the gas-phase density of H nuclei (nH = n(H) + 2n(H2 )).
s
m ie
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)
s es,
pe
ra an tat Extraordinarily e c i e
r inhomogeneity.
nc NH OHTof
d ion SpUV photons (Nishi et al. 1984) reactionnscheme to icefacilitates
studies showed the formation of NH OH by irradiating a mix- timescale and
tu a
2

Ele al Broad Range of d 2010). The experimental condi- a gas–grain nd (Hasegawa

ture of NH and H O ices with
an res ve umodel
3 2 2
and electrons (Zheng &nKaiser
d , A ct , Vi a fully trepresentative for quiescent cold
s where s l isIn b are chosen
et al. 1

De b ro br tions used there are not

t e
n ter by our results. The astronomical ic “TMC a
used that
A e s
comprises a full gas and

ns un
nic at
Sp iona
Research dense clouds, regions
present in theeice as indicated
NH OH is
2

nis discussed below.

assumed to be already
m rshown
Conditions
s , s iti et al. 2010). Thep
1” (Semenov
as in the

itie da relevance
o nmof NO + IH
o f h ewell
t u
e inenFigure 3. The reaction betw
s nc ec l, v ir
Interstellar temperatures and substrates can be
C ra HdandDNO
rather current chemical networks (dashed li

es tra n
reproduced
Erepresentative
in the laboratory, but experiments are not fully
of dark cloud conditions, especially in terms peof anAlong this reaction pathway, no NH O
2and NH OH is usually for
2

, m 2

Te 3

OBSERVATIONAL
ASTRONOMY

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 41

 CHEMICAL MODELING

CH3CH2OH
ethanol
OH

CH3CHOH Details! CH2CH2OH

O O

HCOOH CH3COOH CH3CHO H2CO HCOCH2OH

formic acid acetic acid acetaldehyde formaldehyde glycolaldehyde

Skouteris et al. 2018 ApJ 854, 135

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 42

 CHEMICAL MODELING

Typical networks have 800+ species and ~10,000 reactions

Linnartz et al. 2015 Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. 34, 205

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 43

CHEMICAL MODELING

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 44

 CHEMICAL MODELING - RATE EQUATIONS

Formation of x Destruction of x

Abundance
of x
(~)Rate of the
How molecule x Abundance of Abundance of
reaction with y to
changes abundance species y and z that species y that
destroy x
with time t react to form x destroys x

(~)Rate of the
reaction between y 1 differential equation
and z to form x
per molecule

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 45

CHEMICAL MODELING - RATE EQUATIONS

McGuire et al. 2018 Science 359, 202

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 46

 CHEMICAL MODELING - RATE EQUATIONS

Formation of x Destruction of x

Abundance
of x
(~)Rate of the
How molecule x Abundance of Abundance of
reaction with y to
changes abundance species y and z that species y that
destroy x
with time t react to form x destroys x

(~)Rate of the
reaction between y Depend on temperature,
and z to form x density, UV radiation field,
cosmic ray ionization rate, etc.

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 47

CHEMICAL MODELING - RATE EQUATIONS

Garrod et al. 2008 ApJ 628, 283

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 48

CHEMICAL MODELING - RATE EQUATIONS

CH3OH

Garrod et al. 2008 ApJ 628, 283

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 49

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 50

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 51

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO
H

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 52

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

H
O

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 53

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

H
O
H

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 54

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

Provides ability to trace the

complete and discrete history of
any individual item

H Can model complex physical issues

O
H
like crystallinity and porosity of ices or
the extremely complex effects of a
cosmic ray impact

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 55

CHEMICAL MODELING - MONTE CARLO

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 56

 CHEMICAL MODELING
Rate Equations Monte Carlo
Computationally inexpensive Computationally v. expensive

‘Easy’ to implement new chemistry, (Not so) ‘easy’ to implement new

physics, rapidly adapt model chemistry, physics, rapidly adapt model

Can model an arbitrarily long timescale Can model an arbitrarily long timescale
by simply altering time step; time steps by simply altering time step; time steps
need not be linear need not be linear

‘Hard’ to implement microscopic Get a ‘complete’ physical picture of the

properties - ice structure, diffusion, system. System is typically ~1 gas-
environment-sensitive issues grain interface

Models the entire cloud - bulk gas and

More physically ‘realistic’
bulk surface

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 57

 CHEMICAL MODELING - A FINAL NOTE
Astrochemical models are almost always completely
incapable of correctly reproducing reality
BUT
They are still incredibly useful and important for:

Identifying gaps in our understanding of pertinent reactions,

species, and physical processes

Suggesting reasonable explanations for observations, and

necessary follow-up observational or laboratory tests

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 58

LABORATORY ASTROCHEMICAL
ASTROCHEMISTRY
Figure 2. Quadrupole mass spectrometer signal as a function of temperature during a TPD experiment after six sequential depositions
on a bare silicate surface at 10 K. The peak at T ∼ 188 K indicates desorption of hydroxylamine (NH2 OH, mass = 33 amu). NH2 OH
mass spectrometer head upon ionization, resulting in NO + , OH + , and NH+2 fragments. Low temperature peaks for mass = 30 and 17

ASTROPHYSICS MODELING
NO molecules and OH fragments with water at T ∼ 150 K. The traces are offset for clarity.
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Thermodynamics

Species and Reactions of Interest

Figure 3. Fractional abundance of species involved in nitrogen chemistry for an astrochemical model in which the effect of an NO hy
Solid lines are with NO + H and dashed lines do not take this surface reaction into account. The left panel indicates gas-phase spe
Te Ro
grain-surface abundance with respect to the gas-phase density of H nuclei (nH = n(H) + 2n(H2 )).
s
m ie
(A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)
s es,
pe an tat e c i e
r inhomogeneity.
ra
tu d ion
Ele al SpUV photons (Nishi et al. 1984) reactionnscheme
studies showed the formation of NH OH by irradiating a mix-
2 timescale and
a nc NH OHTof
to icefacilitates
d 2010). The experimental condi- a gas–grain nd (Hasegawa
ture of NH and H O ices with
an res ve umodel
3 2 2
and electrons (Zheng &nKaiser
d , A ct , Vi a fully trepresentative for quiescent cold
s where s l isIn b are chosen
et al. 1

De b ro br tions used there are not

t e
n ter by our results. The astronomical ic “TMC a
used that
A e s
comprises a full gas and

ns un
nic at dense clouds, regions
present in theeice as indicated
NH OH is
2 assumed to be already Conditions
s , s iti et al. 2010). Thep
as in the

Sp iona nis discussed below. m rshown 1” (Semenov

itie da relevance
o nmof NO + IH
o f h ewell
t u
e inenFigure 3. The reaction betw
s nc ec l, v ir
Interstellar temperatures and substrates can be
C ra HdandDNO
rather current chemical networks (dashed li

es tra n
reproduced
Erepresentative
in the laboratory, but experiments are not fully
of dark cloud conditions, especially in terms peof anAlong this reaction pathway, no NH O
2and NH OH is usually for
2

, m 2

Te 3

OBSERVATIONAL
ASTRONOMY

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 59

 PARTING THOUGHTS
Astrochemistry seeks to understand the evolution of
molecular complexity through cosmic time and its
influence on the dynamical evolution of our universe.

Molecular lines aren’t noise - they’re invaluable information

on the current conditions and evolutionary history of the
source you’re studying! Don’t ignore them!

Molecules can be valuable probes/tracers of physical

conditions, but only when interpreted in context. If in
doubt, ask an astrochemist!

16th Synthesis Imaging Workshop 60