18h of lectures, 3 ECTS
Heads: Eric Josselin, Alexandre Marcowith (Université de Montpellier)
This UE gives notions on the physico-chemical processes that are important to the interstellar medium (dynamic, thermal and chemical processes) and to the associated observational diagnostics (molecular spectroscopy, radioastronomy). The main phases of the interstellar medium (ionised, atomic and molecular phases) are also presented.
Goals :
Knowledge of the physico-chemical processes that are important in very diluted media
Knowledge of the different phases of the interstellar medium
Introduction to radioastronomy
Contents:
- Introduction : presentation of the general characteristics of the interstellar medium
- Fundamental processes in atomic and molecular physics for astrophysics : Einstein coefficients – collisionnal excitation (inelastic collisions) – statistical equilibrium – rotation and vibration of molecules
- Phases of the interstellar medium : H II region – cold atomic medium – molecular clouds
- Astrochemistry : Generalities – Introduction to reaction dynamics – Gas phase chemistry (neutral-neutral, ion-molecule bimolecular reactions) – Solid surface chemistry (grains, ices) – Prebiotic chemistry
- Interstellar dust
- Photodissociation regions: thermal and dynamical processes
- Radioastronomy