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

该项目是一项协调一致的实验室和天体物理观测工作，利用即将发射的赫歇尔卫星在保证的时间内进行观测。许多分子在太赫兹频率区域具有指纹状光谱，这将是赫歇尔首次以前所未有的灵敏度覆盖。赫歇尔将揭示星际介质中的分子复杂性。来源的分子丰富性来自于被困在冰帽中的分子的蒸发和/或来自气相化学反应，这些化学反应只能在相对较高的温度下进行。该项目的结果将回答诸如复杂分子如何在太空中形成和存在等问题，包括对地球上生命如何开始的迷人视角。为了解释观测结果，实验室光谱研究是必不可少的，将以非常系统的方式进行。该项目的目标和联合计划由两个赫歇尔保证时间的关键科学计划（HEXOS和PRISMAS）指导，这两个计划是由包括提议者在内的国际财团开发的，最近已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.