Workshop on astrophysical molecular spectroscopy

Laboratory and Observatory

University of Sydney, 25th of September 2007

When?    Tuesday 25th September, 2007.

Where?    School of Chemistry, University of Sydney (google map).

Why?    To facilitate the free and amicable exchange of ideas and opinion between laboratory and observatory-based molecular spectroscopists.

Who?    The workshop is being hosted by the laser spectroscopy laboratories at the University of Sydney. We obtain spectra of molecules of astrophysical interest under simulated interstellar conditions - low temperature and high vacuum. Additionally, we collaborate with astronomers such as Rob Sharp (AAO) to obtain high quality spectra of molecules in nebulae such as the Red Rectangle. Contact Tim Schmidt (t.schmidt@chem.usyd.edu.au) if you would like to participate.

Chair - Tim Schmidt (USyd), Rob Sharp (AAO)

Keynote speakers - Peter Bernath,

We welcome abstract submissions from anyone with something to say about molecules in space. There will be no poster session. There will be three oral sessions based around three broadly defined types of molecular transitions. We will also accept a broad definition of molecule to include dust, grains... but maybe not atoms.

Participants

Tim Schmidt + students, Scott Kable + students, Rob Sharp, Peter Bernath, Don McNaughton + students, Evan Robertson, Chris Thompson, Paul Jones, Maria Cunningham, Peter Barnes

Programme

8:20 Coffee and Biscuits

9:00 Welcome

9:05-10 Keynote

  1. Laboratory astrophysics and astronomical observations of cool stars and brown dwarfs - Peter Bernath (Univ. York)

10:05 - 11:00 Electronic/General (Chair: Tim Schmidt)

  1. The Red Rectangle bands and C2 - Rob Sharp (AAO)
  2. The discovery and identification of a laboratory band at 4760A - Neil Reilly (USyd)

11:20 - 12:20 Vibrational (Chair: Don McNaughton)

  1. Vibrational spectroscopy of "interstellar dust" in a collisonal cooling cell - Evan Robertson (Monash)
  2. New states of the dicarbon molecule for astronomical models - Scott Kable (USyd)

 

LUNCHTIME TOUR - Laser Spectroscopy Laboratories

 

13:20 - 15:20 Rotational (Chair: Rob Sharp)

  1. Millimetre Wave and FTMW Spectroscopy of Polyaromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles PANH’s: Phenanthridine, acridine and 1,10 phenanthroline - Don McNaughton (Monash)
  2. A 3-mm molecular line study of the Centre of our Galaxy - P.A. Jones (UNSW), M.G. Burton, and M.R. Cunningham
  3. Sensitive searches for prebiotic molecules - M.R. Cunningham (UNSW), P.A. Jones, Peter Godfrey, Dinah Cragg and M.G. Burton
  4. Some Thoughts on Astrochemistry – an Observer's Stroll Through Issues in (Massive) Star Formation - Peter Barnes (USyd)

15:30 - closing remarks

Debrief and informal discussion at local establishment

Registration and Payment (FREE!)

Just send an email to the Chair, Tim Schmidt (t.schmidt@chem.usyd.edu.au) to register your interest. Include an abstract if you would like to be considered for an oral presentation. We do not plan to charge for this meeting but may provide cost-price lunch (pay on the day). More information will be provided closer to the event.

 

Many delegates will travel in the afternoon to Wollongong to participate in ACOVS.