Objective
Strong emission features dominate the IR spectra of the interstellar medium of the Milky Way, galaxies in the local Universe and out to redshifts of ~3. These features are generally attributed to IR fluorescence of large Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules pumped by UV photons. These species must be abundant, ubiquitous, and an important component of the ISM. However, despite extensive experimental and theoretical efforts, no specific PAH or even classes of PAHs have been unambiguously identified. Hence, we do not really know the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of these species and therefore cannot quantify their role in the Universe. I propose a highly interdisciplinary program combining observational, theoretical, and experimental studies to determine the IR emission characteristics of large PAH molecules, their origin and evolution, and their influence on the Universe around us. The proposed program will analyze interstellar PAH spectral maps obtained with Spitzer and ISO and relate the spatial variations in the spectral diversity to variations in the characteristics of the radiation field and the physical conditions of these regions that will be obtained with Herschel. This observational program will be aided by an innovative laboratory program that will measure the IR characteristics of large, astrophysically relevant PAH molecules in the gas phase and by a modelling program of the emission characteristics of these PAHs in space. In addition, the photochemistry of gaseous PAHs will be studied in the laboratory using novel techniques, allowing us to model the chemical evolution of PAHs and their reaction products in the interstellar medium. In this way, key astronomical questions involving interstellar PAHs can be addressed.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences physical chemistry photochemistry
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry hydrocarbons
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences celestial mechanics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2009-AdG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.