Events
【DoA Colloquium】March 11th by Donghui Quan
Description
Title：Exploring Prebiotic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium: Recent Advances from Our Work
Speaker：Donghui Quan
Abstract:
The interstellar medium (ISM) is a harsh environment with extremely low densities and low temperatures, conditions that typically hinder chemical reactions. However, despite these challenges, the ISM hosts surprisingly active chemistry, with approximately 330 molecules detected to date. Many of these are organic ones, including complex organic molecules, some of which even could serve as precursors to biological compounds such as amino acids and nucleic acid bases, thus are referred to as prebiotic molecules.
In this talk, I will present our recent studies on the chemical modeling of several groups of interstellar prebiotic molecules. We have developed diverse models to simulate the physical conditions of complex astronomical environments, explored the chemical pathways responsible for the formation and destruction of these molecules, and compared our results with observational data. Through this approach, we have identified key reaction mechanisms and characterized the physical conditions under which these molecules are detected.
Our research not only deepens the understanding of interstellar prebiotic chemistry but also contributes to broader astrophysical and astrobiological questions. Ultimately, such studies provide valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth, the search for habitable worlds, and the potential for extraterrestrial civilizations.
Bio:
Professor Donghui Quan is the deputy director and PI at the Research Center for Astronomical Computing of Zhejiang Laboratory. His research primarily focuses on astrophysics and astrochemistry, with a particular emphasis on the theoretical study of interstellar molecules. He has developed multiple reaction network models based on chemical reaction kinetics to investigate the complex and diverse environments of astronomical systems. His work encompasses approximately 90% of the interstellar molecules and ions detected to date, elucidating their formation and destruction mechanisms. His contributions have been widely recognized in the global scientific community.
Time: 14:00-15:00, 11/Mar, Tuesday
Venue: Room 506 (Large seminar room), Department of Astronomy
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