Astrochemistry: from space to Earth

from Space to Earth

29 Aug-9 Sep 2016 Grenoble (France)

Aims of the school

Astrochemistry is the field that studies how interstellar atoms combine into molecules, in the gas phase and on the surfaces of the interstellar grains. It is the interplay between these two processes that leads to the rich chemistry observed in space, at galactic and extragalactic scales. To extract all the information from the astronomical observations of molecules and exploit them at the best is, however, a truly multidisciplinary endeavor. It requires complementary approaches (observations, modeling, laboratory, theory) to be combined with accurate knowledge in several fields: astrophysics, chemistry, atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics. This implies different communities to work together and to learn to understand each other, whose languages are often very different.

It aims at offering a series of lectures on all the above interdisciplinary aspects of Astrochemistry, from the basic concepts to the state-of-the-art research in each of them. The scope is to train PhD students and young researchers of the different communities that make up Astrochemistry and foster the collaboration/networking among them.

Practical information

The school is organized in two weeks of lectures complemented with extensive hands-on activities. The lectures will cover the following topics:

Methods of detection and analysis of interstellar molecules;
Basics of radiative transfer and astrochemical modeling;
Interstellar chemistry and star formation;
Basics on astrochemical processes;
Methods for theoretical chemistry applied to gas phase and solid state interstellar chemistry;
Basics of laboratory experiments for astrochemistry and spectroscopy;
Proposal and applications writing.

The lectures are complemented by hands-on sessions to put the concepts in context and provide participants with practical insights on selected problems.

The school will be held at IPAG in Grenoble (France), during the period 29/8-9/9 2016.

The attendance will be restricted to 30 students, divided in about three equal groups with background in astronomy, theoretical and experimental chemistry, respectively. The school will provide financial support to French students and to students eligible for COST funding (i.e. those studying in a country that is part of the CM1401 action or from a Near Neighbor Country) as a bursary in accordance with COST rules, and dependent on the final COST settlement received in the 2016/17 year. Lunches will be offered by the School. No fees are requested. It is unlikely the bursary will cover all the costs.

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