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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Gas and Dust from the Stars to the Laboratory: Exploring the NanoCosmos

Objective

Evolved stars are the factories of interstellar dust. This dust is injected into the interstellar medium and plays a key role in the evolution of astronomical objects from galaxies to the embryos of planets. However, the processes involved in dust formation and evolution are still a mystery. The increased angular resolution of new generation telescopes, will provide for the first time a detailed view of the conditions in the dust formation zone of evolved stars, as shown by our first observations with ALMA.

We propose to combine astronomical observations, modelling, and top-level experiments to produce star dust analogues in the laboratory and identify the key species and steps that govern their formation. We will build two innovative setups: the Stardust chamber to simulate the atmosphere of evolved stars, and the gas evolution chamber to identify novel molecules in the dust formation zone. We will also improve existing laboratory setups and combine different techniques to achieve original studies on individual dust grains, their processing to produce complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the chemical evolution of grain precursors and how dust grains interact with abundant astronomical molecules. Our simulation chambers will be equipped with state-of-the-art in situ and ex situ diagnostics.

Our astrophysical models, improved by the interplay between observations and laboratory studies, will provide powerful tools for the analysis of the wealth of data provided by the new generation of telescopes. In addition, new broad-band state-of-the-art High Electron Mobility Transistor receivers will be built, allowing us to perform an unprecedented astronomical survey of evolved stars and providing an invaluable legacy for any scientist in the field. The synergy between astronomers, vacuum and microwave engineers, molecular and plasma physicists, surface scientists, and theoreticians in NANOCOSMOS is the key to provide a cutting-edge view of cosmic dust.

Call for proposal

ERC-2013-SyG
See other projects for this call

Lead Principal Investigator

José Cernicharo Quintanilla Prof.

Host institution

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
EU contribution
€ 7 723 339,26
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 Madrid
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Principal investigator
José Cernicharo Quintanilla (Prof.)
Administrative Contact
Guillermo Sanjuanbenito Garcia (Mr.)
Links
Total cost
No data

Beneficiaries (5)