Spectre

What is the origin and evolution of volatiles and organics in the Solar System? Can the composition of primitive solar system solids be related to astrochemical observations of analogues of our Solar System ? What is the role of plasma interactions with atmospheres?

Research topics

The « Spectre » team studies the formation and evolution of prestellar cores, protostars and protoplanetary systems from both a cosmochemical and astrochemical perspective. It studies the origin of volatiles (e.g. water) and organics in planets; the uniqueness of the Solar System; the role of turbulence in the star formation process; the effects of stellar winds/magnetic fields on planetary atmospheres.

The team includes observers, theorists and experimentalists, using various methods linked together by an emphasis on spectroscopy. Observations call upon ground based instruments (IRAM, ALMA, EISCAT) as well as in situ measurements thanks to space probes (Rosetta, Hayabusa 2, New Horizons). The team carries out laboratory measurements using equipment at IPAG or using national facilities (GANIL). The team has expertise in theoretical modelling of atomic and molecular collisions and of chemical networks. Finally, spectroscopy and polarimetry are the object of specific instrumental developments.

keywords

ISM: abundances, clouds, cosmic rays, molecules; Planetary systems: comets, Earth, meteorites, asteroids, planets and satellites, protoplanetary disks; Sun: particle emission, solar-terrestrial relations, aurorae; Physical data and processes: atomic data, magnetic fields, masers, molecular data, plasmas, polarization, radiative transfer, turbulence