February 14th - Interstellar Catalysis – a Route to Molecular Complexity in Space
Friday Physics Colloquia
The Friday Physics Colloquia at the Department of Physics are open to all. An important goal for the colloquia is to be a meeting place between faculty and students to learn about interesting developments in physics.
Undergraduate students are especially encouraged to attend. Speakers are asked to keep the talks at a level targeting a master student in physics.
Speaker: Prof. Liv Hornekær, Professor, Aarhus University, Denmark
Time: 11:15-12:00.
Place: E5-103 (map)
Title: Interstellar Catalysis – a Route to Molecular Complexity in Space
Abstract: Interstellar space harbors a surprising molecular complexity. More than 325 different molecules have been detected so far and each year new molecules are added to the list. Catalytic reactions on interstellar nanoscale dust grains are expected to play a dominant role in driving this chemical evolution. However, the degree of chemical complexity attainable via such reactions is still under exploration. Specifically, we aim to answer the question of whether the molecular building blocks of life – amino acids, DNA bases, sugars and fatty acids – can form in interstellar space, before the formation of stars and planets. To answer this question, we recreate interstellar conditions in the laboratory and employ the full toolbox of surface science to study heterogenous catalytic reactions on interstellar dust grain analogue surfaces.
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