Experimental astrochemistry: from ground-based to space-borne laboratories
(Foreword)
Abstract
The investigation of the origin and evolution of molecules in space environments, either in interstellar or interplanetary conditions, constitutes a topic of high importance in modern space sciences. The presence of diversified and complex molecules motivates astrochemists to explore their formation mechanisms along with the physical conditions ruling these physico-chemical processes. Beside theoretical approaches aiming at simulating these processes, experimental techniques are nowadays frequently applied. Both laboratory and space experiment projects allow to reproduce to some extent the adequate conditions to understand some of these processes. The most recent results based on these techniques, and the prospects for future investigations, including the use of space platforms, were the scientific motivation of this workshop. These proceedings summarize a part of the content of this workshop, including abundant references to the relevant bibliography.
1The participants visiting the facilities at the Centre Spatial de Liège. In the background, from the left to the right: Pascale Ehrenfreund, Michel Viso, Thierry Chiavassa, Andreas Elsaesser, Hervé Cottin, Nathalie Carrasco, Maria Elisabetta Palumbo, Boris Segret, Emmanuel Dartois, Noël Grand, Euan Monaghan, Rafael Martfn-Doménech, Fabien Stalport, Kafila Saiagh. In the foreground, from the left to the right: Michaël De Becker, Karl Fleury-Frenette, Vassilissa Vinogradoff, Serge Habraken.