Molecular Complexity in the Interstellar Medium: Laboratory Spectroscopy and Astronomical Observations within the Herschel Guaranteed Time Program

该项目是一项实验室和天体物理学观测的协调工作，在保证的观测时间内使用即将到来的赫歇尔卫星。许多分子在太赫兹频段具有类似指纹的光谱，赫歇尔将首次以前所未有的灵敏度覆盖这一区域。赫歇尔将揭示星际介质中的分子复杂性。来源的分子丰度来自于被困在冰盖中的分子的蒸发和/或只有在相对较高的温度下才能进行的气相化学反应。这个项目的结果将回答一些问题，比如复杂的分子是如何形成和存在于太空中的，包括关于地球上生命是如何开始的的迷人视角。为了解释观测结果，实验室光谱研究是必不可少的，并将以非常系统的方式进行。该项目的目标和联合计划是由两个赫歇尔保证时间关键科学计划(HEXOS和PRISMAS)指导的，这两个计划是由包括提出者在内的国际财团开发的，并已于最近获得赫歇尔时间分配委员会的批准。

This project is a concerted laboratory and astrophysics observational effort, using the upcoming Herschel satellite within its guaranteed time observations. Many molecules have their fingerprint-like spectra in the Terahertz frequency region which will be covered by Herschel for the first time with unprecedented sensitivity. Herschel will unfold the molecular complexity in the interstellar medium. The molecular richness of the sources originates from evaporation of molecules trapped in ice mantles and/or from gas phase chemical reactions, which can proceed only at relatively high temperatures. Results from this project will answer questions such as how complex molecules can be formed and exist in space, including the fascinating perspective on how life started on earth. For the interpretation of the observations laboratory spectroscopic studies are essential and will be carried out in a very systematic fashion. The aims and thus the joint program of this project are guided by two Herschel guaranteed time key scientific programs (HEXOS and PRISMAS) which have been developed by international consortia including the proposers and which have been approved recently by the Herschel Time Allocation Committee.