RUI: Infrared Spectroscopy and Characterization of Comets

RUI：彗星的红外光谱和表征

• 批准号: 0407052
• 负责人: Karen Magee-Sauer
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Rowan University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-05-01 至 2010-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0407052&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Infrared; Spectroscopy; Characterization; Comets

AST 0407052Magee-SauerThe prime objective of this project directed by Dr. Karen Magee-Sauer is to measure and compare abundances of ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and acetylene (C2H2) in several comets. Other nitriles (HNC, HC3N) and hydrocarbons (C4H2) will be targeted when a relatively bright comet is available. The nitrogen chemistry of comets is not very well characterized. This is largely due to the difficulty in measuring emission from N2. Thus, it is very important to gain an understanding of the products of N2 processing to characterize the nitrogen abundance in comets. Comparing the abundances of nitriles in comets with their corresponding abundances in interstellar clouds will provide clues to nitrogen processing during comet formation. Determining relative abundances of interrelated symmetric hydrocarbon species (CH4, C2H2, C2H6) is important for constraining cometary formation scenarios. Common relative hydrocarbon abundances for a group of comets might reflect common processing histories. The focus of this project is to utilize the expanding field of ground-based infraredspectroscopy to determine cometary composition through quantitative measurements of severalkey volatile species. The high spectral and spatial resolution afforded by long-slit infraredspectroscopy enables the detection of multiple emission features of each species, and yieldsinformation on their production. When the signal-to-noise is sufficiently high, the spatial profilescan separately identify material released from the nucleus from that produced in the coma. Thiswill help answer the basic question of the composition of native ices in comets, and helpconstrain models of the solar system. Because comets are intrusive visitors to the planets within our solar system, they introduce new molecules into these environments. What role the delivery of organics and water by comets played in the emergence and evolution of life on Earth is a key question in the field of astrobiology. The composition of comets is also an important link to the study of the evolution of planetary atmospheres.Broader Impacts: The broader objectives of this project are to strengthen the research environment and to promote the integration of research and education at Rowan University, an undergraduate institution. To work toward these objectives, this work will involve undergraduate students in all aspects of the research. The goal will be to develop students trained in computational, analytical, and communication skills required for future success in science, engineering, and education fields. The interdisciplinary nature of astronomical research makes it open to students from varying backgrounds. Participation in astronomical research provides transferable computer and analytical skills to other scientific fields. As a result, past research students are currently employed and/or studying in engineering, chemistry, and marine biology fields. Students from under-represented groups correspond to over 50% of past student participation in this research. This project offers undergraduates the opportunity to do research that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to do. This research program has enabled students to attend national undergraduate conferences, participate in summer research programs, and travel to major observatories. Continuing to provide these types of external experiences, along with learning everyday in a research-rich environment play a central role in the development of future scientists.***

AST 0407052 Magee-Sauer由Karen Magee-Sauer博士指导的这个项目的主要目标是测量和比较几颗彗星中氨（NH3）、氰化氢（HCN）和乙炔（C2 H2）的丰度。其他腈（HNC，HC 3 N）和碳氢化合物（C4 H2）将在相对明亮的彗星出现时成为目标。彗星的氮化学特征还不是很清楚。这在很大程度上是由于测量N2排放的困难。因此，这是非常重要的，以获得对N2处理的产物的理解，以表征彗星中的氮丰度。将彗星中腈的丰度与星际云中相应的丰度进行比较，将为彗星形成过程中的氮处理提供线索。确定相互关联的对称碳氢化合物物种（CH 4，C2 H2，C2 H6）的相对丰度对于约束彗星形成情景非常重要。一组彗星共同的相对碳氢化合物丰度可能反映了共同的加工历史。该项目的重点是利用不断扩大的地基红外光谱学领域，通过对几种关键挥发性物质的定量测量来确定彗星的组成。长缝红外光谱提供的高光谱和空间分辨率使检测每个物种的多个发射特征成为可能，并提供有关其生产的信息。当信噪比足够高时，空间轮廓可以分别识别从彗发中产生的核释放的物质。这将有助于回答彗星中天然冰的组成这一基本问题，并有助于约束太阳系的模型。因为彗星是太阳系内行星的入侵者，它们将新的分子引入这些环境。彗星运送有机物和水在地球生命的出现和进化中扮演了什么角色，这是天体生物学领域的一个关键问题。彗星的组成也是研究行星大气演化的重要环节。更广泛的影响：该项目更广泛的目标是加强研究环境，促进罗文大学这所本科院校的研究与教育相结合。为了实现这些目标，这项工作将涉及本科生在研究的各个方面。目标是培养学生在科学，工程和教育领域未来成功所需的计算，分析和沟通技能。天文学研究的跨学科性质使其对来自不同背景的学生开放。参与天文学研究提供了可转移到其他科学领域的计算机和分析技能。因此，过去的研究生目前在工程、化学和海洋生物学领域就业和/或学习。来自代表性不足群体的学生占过去参与这项研究的学生的50%以上。这个项目为本科生提供了做研究的机会，否则他们将没有机会做。该研究计划使学生能够参加全国本科生会议，参加夏季研究计划，并前往主要天文台。继续提供这些类型的外部经验，沿着每天在研究丰富的环境中学习，在未来科学家的发展中发挥着核心作用。