In this work, we investigate the formation mechanisms of silicon carbide cosmic dust under conditions mimicking the atmospheres of evolved carbon-rich stars. By combining ultra-high vacuum experiments, advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, and theoretical modelling, we demonstrate the key role played by molecular hydrogen in triggering the chemical pathways that…
Aliphatics are prevalent in various solar system bodies and the interstellar medium, with linear alkanes (n-CnH2n+2) detected in carbonaceous chondrites in small amounts. Despite their consistent presence, their formation mechanism in meteorites remains unclear. This study proposes a gas-phase synthesis mechanism for n-alkanes from carbon and hydrogen under conditions similar…
The NFFA-Europe-Pilot project granted a team from the University of Antwerpen (Belgium) to investigate metallic and oxide nanoparticles for CO2 electrorreduction.
In the atmosphere of carbon-rich (C-rich) asymptotic giant branch stars (AGBs), silicon chemistry plays an important role as is revealed by the detection of silane (SiH4) and organosilicon compounds such as methyl silane (CH3SiH3) and sylil cyanide (SiH3CN). To deepen the understanding on the formation of silicon bearing molecules in…
The last module of Stardust, INFRA-ICE, is ready! This module is dedicated to simulate the chemistry taking place in the densest regions of the interstellar medium, the so-called dense molecular clouds. As such, INFRA-ICE expands the capabilities of Stardust allowing for the complete journey of cosmic dust to be…
Background image: Spiral structure around the red giant star R Sculptoris. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. Maercker et al. The formation of interstellar carbon dust in dying stars is still not fully understood. In particular, the interaction of atomic carbon with the most abundant chemical species in the atmosphere of red…
The first results of astrophysical relevance obtained with the Stardust machine evidence a prevalence of non-aromatic species in the inner regions of circumstellar envelopes Image taken from https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/ciencia/fisica/un-viaje-a-la-ultima-frontera-i-las-atmosferas-de-las-estrellas/ This work is part of the results obtained in the framework of the European project ERC…