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Millimeter & Submillimeter Astronomy Group
at the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
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Molecular Clouds: Star-Formation and Chemistry
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Molecular Clouds and Star Formation
We study a very broad collection of topics. Among the highlights of the last years were:
- a study of the interaction of supernova remnants with molecular clouds;
- infrared studies of the galactic mini-starburst region NGC3603;
- an extensive survey for shocked molecular hydrogen in orion;
- the first ground-based radio observations of a trans-THz line;
- studies of the earliest stages of high-mass star formation.
Astrochemistry
Astrochemistry is required to understand the molecular abundances found in space, but once understood will also
be an important tool to constrain e.g. ages of molecular clouds. In recent years we especially worked on:
- the detection of FeO, the first iron-bearing molecule in the ISM;
- the detection of interstellar ND;
- a 350 μm spectral line survey of Orion-KL;
- better tools for line surveys - preparing for HIFI;
- deuterated water in the envelope of Sgr B2;
- sulphur chemistry in the envelopes of massive young stars;
- methanol as a new density and emperature probe.
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