Identifying Organic Molecules in Space - The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX Mission Concept

摘要

In this paper we review our current state of knowledge regarding the identity of organic and related compounds in the interstellar medium (ISM). The remote detection and identification of organics is ideally suited to the technique of infrared spectroscopy since such data can be obtained telescopically and this spectral range encompasses the fundamental vibrational modes of common molecular bonds. Despite recent advances in our knowledge of the organic component of the ISM, we are still far from understanding the distribution, abundance, and evolutionary inter-relationship of these materials within our galaxy and the universe as a whole. Many of these issues can be addressed by the acquisition of new infrared spectra. We briefly describe a potential new Explorer-class space mission capable of obtaining such data, the AstroBiology Explorer (ABE), which consists of a space observatory capable of obtaining spectra in the 2.5-16.0 μm range at a spectral resolution of Δλ/λ = 2000 - 3000. ABE would be capable of addressing outstanding problems in Astrochemistry and Astrophysics that are particularly relevant to Astrobiology and addressable via astronomical observation. ABE would have an approximately one year lifetime during which it would obtain a coordinated set of infrared spectroscopic observations of large numbers of galaxies, stars, planetary nebulae, interstellar clouds, young star planetary systems and objects within our own Solar System.