Astrophysics

About 1 million years after the Big Bang molecules began to form in the universe. Molecules exist in many environments and at a range of temperatures.

Hitran, and its more approximate cousin Hitemp, are databases of molecular transitions developed using laboratory spectra. These are inadequate (too cool) for many astronomical applications.

Analysis of astrophysical spectra and astrophysical models require information about molecules behave under a variety of extreme conditions. It is often difficult to obtain this data from laboratory measurements. We study key molecular processes such as:

• H₃⁺ spectra, important in Jupiter and elsewhere
• Water transitions for sunspots and cool stars
• Electron impact excitation of molecules and molecular ions

Data on key processes is available here