Figure: The solar spectrum with its missing colors (Credit: Nigel Sharp (NSF), FTS, NSO, KPNO, AURA, NSF, NASA/APOD).
In order to interpret astrophysical observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, it is vital to understand fundamental atomic and molecular processes of absorption and emission, together with the solid-state physics of cosmic dust grains.
Current work in this area by IRyA researchers includes:
- Dust formation and destruction
- Dissociation of molecular hydrogen
- Fluorescent pumping of emission lines in nebulae
- Recombination of heavy elements
- Raman scattering by neutral hydrogen
- Molecular masers
- Astrochemistry
- Origins of life
Researchers working directly in this area: