Astrochemistry With the Orbiting Astronomical Satellite for Investigating Stellar Systems
Journal article, 2022

Chemistry along the star- and planet-formation sequence regulates how prebiotic building blocks—carriers of the elements CHNOPS—are incorporated into nascent planetesimals and planets. Spectral line observations across the electromagnetic spectrum are needed to fully characterize interstellar CHNOPS chemistry, yet to date there are only limited astrochemical constraints at THz frequencies. Here, we highlight advances to the study of CHNOPS astrochemistry that will be possible with the Orbiting Astronomical Satellite for Investigating Stellar Systems (OASIS). OASIS is a NASA mission concept for a space-based observatory that will utilize an inflatable 14-m reflector along with a heterodyne receiver system to observe at THz frequencies with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution. As part of a survey of H2O and HD toward ∼100 protostellar and protoplanetary disk systems, OASIS will also obtain statistical constraints on the emission of complex organics from protostellar hot corinos and envelopes as well as light hydrides including NH3 and H2S toward protoplanetary disks. Line surveys of high-mass hot cores, protostellar outflow shocks, and prestellar cores will also leverage the unique capabilities of OASIS to probe high-excitation organics and small hydrides, as is needed to fully understand the chemistry of these objects.

far-infrared astronomy

star-forming regions

interstellar molecules

space telescopes

astrochemistry

Author

Jenny Bergner

University of Chicago

Yancy L. Shirley

University of Arizona

J. K. Jorgensen

Niels Bohr Institute

Brett McGuire

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Susanne Aalto

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

Carrie M. Anderson

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Gordon Chin

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

M. Gerin

Paris Observatory

P. Hartogh

Max Planck Society

Daewook Kim

University of Arizona

David Leisawitz

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Joan Najita

NSF's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)

Kamber Schwarz

Max Planck Society

Alexander G.G.M. Tielens

Leiden University

University of Maryland

Christopher K. Walker

University of Arizona

David J. Wilner

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Edward J. Wollack

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

2296987X (eISSN)

Vol. 8 793922

Exploring the Hidden Dusty Nuclei of Galaxies (HIDDeN)

European Research Council (ERC) (789410), 2018-10-01 -- 2023-09-30.

Subject Categories

Aerospace Engineering

Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics

DOI

10.3389/fspas.2021.793922

More information

Latest update

1/3/2024 9