New Interstellar Simulation Chamber Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy of Interstellar Organic Materials

摘要

A major milestone has just been achieved at Ames Research Center: a new facility has been developed to directly simulate gaseous molecules and ions at the low temperature and pressure conditions of interstellar space. This laboratory facility-which is unique within NASA-combines the techniques of supersonic free-jet expansion spectroscopy (JES) with the techniques of cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy (CRDS). The principal objective is to determine the spectroscopic properties of large interstellar aromatic molecules and ions under conditions that precisely mimic interstellar conditions. The aim of this research is to provide quantitative information to analyze astronomical spectra in support of NASA's Space Science and Astrobiology missions, including data taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. Understanding the origin, physical properties, and distribution of the most complex organic