Research report 2014 - Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

Our Astrochemical Origins

Authors
Caselli, Paola
Departments
Zentrum für astrochemische Studien
Summary
The birth of a Solar-type star and its planetary system, starting from interstellar clouds in our Galaxy, can elucidate the formation of our own Solar System, including the production of complex organic molecules found in comets and meteorites. We are using dynamical models, astrochemical codes and powerful telescopes to study the physical and chemical structure of dense cloud cores, the future stellar cradles. Recently, we made predictions on the detection of glycine, the simplest amino acid, and we started to unveil the first steps toward the formation of protoplanetary disks.

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