Stars R Us: the cosmic chemistry connection

Stars R Us：宇宙化学联系

• 批准号: EP/E022693/1
• 负责人: Martin McCoustra
• 金额: $ 0.33万
• 依托单位: University of Nottingham
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2006 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FE022693%2F1
• 关键词: Stars; Us; cosmic; chemistry; connection

We are all made of star stuff! The atoms inside us were forged in the nuclear furnaces of stars. In stellar atmospheres, some elements form star-dust, which is blown out into space. In interstellar regions, chemical reactions between gases and dust turn the elements into increasingly complex molecules; over 150 have already been identified in space to date. These molecular cauldrons subsequently form the stellar nurseries from which new stars and planets form. The importance of molecules as progenitors for star formation, and for life, is not lost on astronomers. Chemists and Astronomers are now working together to understand how these 'space' molecules are formed, and the key role that they play in star formation. But how can we probe chemical reactions occurring literally light years from Earth? Our exhibit highlights the role of spectroscopy in unravelling these astrochemical reactions, detecting 'space molecules', and observing star and planet formation. Through tactile, eye-catching demonstrations, intuitive posters and videos, we make this interdisciplinary science accessible to the public. We will show how Astrochemistry is combining clues gleaned from the newest telescopes with sophisticated laboratory experiments and computer modelling, to specifically seek out the molecular markers of life. Our exhibit combines the expertise of Astrochemists from Strathclyde, UCL, Nottingham and the Open University, with the 'PUS' expertise of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The science described in the exhibit is based on the astrochemistry/astrophysics research currently underway in the research groups of Brown, Fraser, McCoustra and Mason and on the astronomy research underway in the research group of Viti. Much of this research is currently funded by the EPSRC. This area of science ideally lends itself to public understanding activities, as it is an unusual circumstance in any culture that a person has not looked at the night sky and wondered at their significance and where we come from. Perhaps this is why the public holds astronomy in such high-regard, and are knowledgeable enough to be open to advanced concepts related to our understanding of the universe. This interest is clearly confirmed by the popularity of Amateur Astronomy Clubs UK-wide, the popularity of Astronomy GCSE, A-Level and degree studies, and the high viewing figures for (any) space-based programming on the BBC and Discovery Channel. By combining it with chemistry, astronomy becomes even more exciting. Astrochemistry offers us a unique route to engaging adults, schoolchildren and students in the importance of cross-disciplinary work and the role of chemistry in the interstellar medium. It is clearly an inspirational subject / aspects of star and planet formation appear in Standard grade and Higher syllabi in Scotland and the equivalent school qualifications in England. We are confident, therefore, that the work this exhibit will describe will be accessible to all children and adults, widening general scientific literacy and supporting lifelong learning.

我们都是由星星制成的！我们内部的原子在恒星的核炉中锻造。在恒星的气氛中，某些元素形成了星尘，这些元素被吹入太空。在星际区域中，气体和灰尘之间的化学反应将元素变成越来越复杂的分子。迄今为止，已经在空间中已经确定了150多个。这些分子大锅随后形成了新恒星和行星形成的恒星苗圃。分子作为恒星形成和生命的祖细胞的重要性并没有丢失。化学家和天文学家现在正在共同努力，了解如何形成这些“空间”分子，以及它们在恒星形成中起的关键作用。但是，我们如何探测地球几年来从字面上发光的化学反应呢？我们的展示突出了光谱法在揭示这些星体化学反应，检测“空间分子”以及观察恒星和行星形成的作用。通过触觉，引人注目的演示，直观的海报和视频，我们使这部跨学科的科学可供公众访问。我们将展示如何将最新望远镜的线索与复杂的实验室实验和计算机建模相结合，以专门寻找生命的分子标记。我们的展览结合了来自Strathclyde，UCL，Nottingham和Open University的Astrochemist的专业知识，以及Greenwich皇家天文台的“ PUS”专业知识。展览中描述的科学基于目前在Brown，Fraser，McCoustra和Mason的研究小组以及VITI研究小组的天文学研究中进行的研究小组。目前，这项研究的大部分是由EPSRC资助的。理想情况下，这一科学领域可以使公众理解活动，因为在任何一个人都没有看着夜空的文化中，这是一种不寻常的情况，并想知道它们的意义和我们来自何处。也许这就是为什么公众在如此高级登记中拥有天文学的原因，并且知识渊博，可以对与我们对宇宙的理解有关的高级概念开放。业余天文俱乐部在英国范围内的普及，天文学GCSE，A级和学位研究的普及以及BBC和Discovery Channel上（任何）基于空间的编程的高观看素养的知名度，这一兴趣得到了证实。通过将其与化学相结合，天文学变得更加令人兴奋。天体化学为我们提供了吸引成年人，学童和学生跨学科工作以及化学在星际媒介中的作用的独特途径。显然，这是苏格兰的标准级和更高的教学大纲以及英格兰的同等学历。因此，我们有信心，所有儿童和成人都可以使用该展览所描述的工作，从而扩大了一般的科学素养并支持终身学习。