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 793922Exploring 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