Final Report Summary - 3DICE (3D Interstellar Chemo-physical Evolution)
The formation and evolution of molecules, minerals, ices and organics from the diffuse medium to planetary bodies, their alteration or preservation throughout this cosmic chemical history set the initial conditions for building planets, atmospheres and possibly the first bricks of life. During this journey, elements combine to form molecules of various complexity while the tiny interstellar grains cover themselves with volatile molecules.
The goal of this ERC project was to simulate the chemical evolution of the interstellar material during the entire sequence of evolution from the diffuse medium to young protoplanetary disks (where planets form) by combining trans-disciplinary astrochemical codes with hydrodynamical codes proving the physical conditions. In other words, we compute the detailed chemistry occurring when the interstellar material evolves from the beginning (diffuse medium) to the birthplace of planets.
What did we learn from these simulations? We now understand that the way the material evolves influences strongly the chemistry at all stages of the evolutionary sequence. As a consequence, protoplanetary disks are born from a large variety of scenario and so can present a large variety of chemical compositions. This result naturally explains de large diversity of chemical compositions observed in the interstellar medium.
The goal of this ERC project was to simulate the chemical evolution of the interstellar material during the entire sequence of evolution from the diffuse medium to young protoplanetary disks (where planets form) by combining trans-disciplinary astrochemical codes with hydrodynamical codes proving the physical conditions. In other words, we compute the detailed chemistry occurring when the interstellar material evolves from the beginning (diffuse medium) to the birthplace of planets.
What did we learn from these simulations? We now understand that the way the material evolves influences strongly the chemistry at all stages of the evolutionary sequence. As a consequence, protoplanetary disks are born from a large variety of scenario and so can present a large variety of chemical compositions. This result naturally explains de large diversity of chemical compositions observed in the interstellar medium.