Dynamical and chemical modeling of low-mass star-forming cores

通过研究弥漫在银河系中的气体和尘埃中的化学物质，天文学家能够更好地了解恒星和行星的诞生以及银河系随时间变化的方式。弗吉尼亚大学的一个研究小组将继续研究大分子是如何在像我们太阳这样的恒星诞生的密集区域形成的。这项理论工作甚至可能导致更好地理解地球上生命是如何开始的。提案人还将继续通过与各种大学项目的联系进行外联和教学工作，其中大多数项目致力于将各种背景和生活经验的人带入科学研究。研究生和本科生也将参与拟议中的研究。该项目旨在模拟复杂有机分子在低质量星星形成核心的高温内部区域的形成。这些所谓的“热科里诺斯”含有益生元分子。因此，热Corinos对于我们更好地了解地球上（也许还有其他地方）的生命起源具有重要价值。该项目将结合联合收割机化学、辐射和磁流体动力学（RHD和MHD）模型，探索在核心坍缩和形成星周盘、喷流和原恒星期间这些来源中发生的与时间和空间有关的化学反应。耦合模型将设法区分加热机制，并将探测原恒星紫外线对流出腔壁化学的影响。该研究将与现有和未来的阿尔马观测以及即将使用詹姆斯韦伯太空望远镜的固相分子观测相关。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

By studying chemistry in the gas and dust that pervades the Milky Way, astronomers are able to better understand the birth of stars and planets and the way the galaxy changes over time. A team from the University of Virginia will continue their research on how large molecules are formed in dense regions where stars like our sun are born. This theoretical work may even lead to a better understanding of how life began on Earth. The proposers will also continue outreach and teaching efforts through their association with various university programs, most of which are committed to bringing people of all backgrounds and life experiences into scientific research. Graduate and undergraduate students will also participate in the research being proposed.This project aims at modelling the formation of Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) in the hot, inner regions of low-mass star forming cores. These so-called “Hot Corinos” harbor molecules that are of prebiotic interest. Hot Corinos are therefore of great value as we develop a better understanding of the origins of life on Earth (and perhaps elsewhere). The project will combine chemical, radiative and magneto-hydrodynamical (RHD and MHD) models to explore the time- and spatially-dependent chemistry occurring in these sources during core collapse and the formation of a circumstellar disk, jet and protostar. The coupled models will seek to distinguish between heating mechanisms and will probe the influence of protostellar UV on the chemistry of the outflow cavity walls. The study will be of relevance to existing and future ALMA observations as well as upcoming observations of solid-phase molecules using the James Webb Space Telescope.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.