Objective "NATURALISM is a philosophical viewpoint according to which everything arises from natural properties, and supernatural explanations are just excluded. This proposal is a by-product of this definition. It will contribute to the understanding of the origin of life in the universe by unravelling experimentally the chemical reaction schemes leading to large and complex molecules in interstellar ice analogues. Interstellar chemistry is governed by a complex interaction between gas phase and solid-state processes. These provide a universal starting point for a prebiotic chemistry. Several observational facilities have become operational recently, and more will in the near future, probing this chemistry through the detection of spectral rotational lines related to a large diversity of new and complex species. The availability of detailed laboratory data is a prerequisite for a proper interpretation of these observational data.This proposal addresses both the characterisation and the formation of large complex species in interstellar ice analogues. Laboratory studies will be carried out at the Leiden Observatory, using MATRIICES, a worldwide unique and highly sensitive setup capable to address the question of molecular complexity in processed interstellar ice analogues. Large complex species relevant to the field of astrobiology are expected to be detected in situ during irradiation of N-bearing and O-bearing interstellar ice analogues. In a second step, millimeter and submillimeter data of complex or transient species will be analysed. The results will be included in databases within a collaborative work in the Cologne Laboratory Astrophysics Group.The outcome of this proposal will provide qualitative and quantitative data for astrochemical solid-state processes, a key to assist in developing astrochemical models, and give spectroscopic data that are strongly needed to steer and interpret astronomical observations and to predict abundances of complex species in space." Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanicsnatural scienceschemical sciences Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN EU contribution € 191 675,40 Address RAPENBURG 70 2311 EZ Leiden Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Ton Brouwer (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data