| Name: | Umesh Kadhane |
| Affiliation: | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology |
| Conference ID: | ASI2025_786 |
| Title: | Laboratory investigation of nitrogenated aromatics and their role in understating astrochemical evolution of organics |
| Authors: | Umesh Kadhane |
| Authors Affiliation: | Dept. of Physics, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695547 |
| Mode of Presentation: | Invited |
| Abstract Category: | Plenary |
| Abstract: |
Occurrence of complex organics in our solar system is challenging the human understanding of the origin of life. Startling results by several space missions are complementing the astronomical observations while improving our knowledge. While the Indian space agency takes on increasingly complex missions, it becomes important that the Indian molecular physics community starts more interest in molecular astrophysics.
At the AMP lab in IIST, we have conducted a series of investigations on energetic radiation processing of nitrogenated aromatics. These investigations are aimed at understanding the isomerisation and dissociation processes in these aromatics while trying to connect to their astrochemical relevance. Two main topics of interest are: first, to evaluate a possibility of nitrogenated aromatics as a source of anomalous HNC/HCN ratio in cometary surroundings as well as a source of cyanopolyynes which are common in comets and the upper atmosphere of Titan. And second, a more recent discovery of a strong tendency amongst this class of aromatics to undergo intracluster ion-molecule reactions. While the former topic strongly connects with photodissociation processes under Extreme UV radiation and high energy proton irradiation in planetary ionospheres and comets, the latter is proposed to be a path way of significance in the context of post-sublimation radiation interaction at the boundaries of protoplanetary disks. A brief report will be presented on these investigations at IIST.
The last few minutes will be devoted to introduce a pan-India initiative on Organics in Space which was launched in the year 2023. The main goal of this initiative is to create national laboratory network, international collaborative network and direct engagement with the national space agency in collectively trying to understand the molecular origin of life. This will lead to a strong workforce, ground infrastructure and future space missions to address one of the most fundamental questions of humankind.
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