GBT22A-899

SC: Q- Band Chemical Complexity Survey of Prestellar Core L1544

Abstract

This submission is in response to the 'Special GBT Call for Large Proposals,' with a deadline of December 13th, 2021. We request a 600-hour program (~1/3 of which is Operator-Driven) to conduct a high spectral and spatial sensitivity line survey of the prestellar core L1544 in the chemically-rich Q-band (38-48.2 GHz), which has never before been attempted. Within the band are numerous energetically favorable complex organic molecule (COM) transitions compared to those in other surveys at higher frequency (i.e., the 3mm band), which will help us constrain excitation temperatures and abundances. We also predict the detection of several molecules never before observed in prestellar cores, i.e., the carbon-chains C5H and C6H, glycine (H2NCH2COOH) and deuterated vinyl cyanide (CH2CDCN). Because L1544 has been extensively modeled, this will allow us to correctly interpret the data and reconstruct the abundance profile of the molecules we will detect, aided by the high spectral line sensitivity uniquely available at the GBT. Recent studies suggest that at least a fraction of COMs observed in protostellar cores are inherited from the prestellar core phase, thus by studying COMs in L1544 specifically, we will be probing the prebiotic material likely to be inherited by low-mass stars and planets.

Investigators

Name	Institution
GBT Operator	Green Bank Observatory
Samantha Scibelli *	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Arizona, University of
Danna Qasim	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Anna Punanova	Chalmers University of Technology
Yancy Shirley	Arizona, University of
Anton Vasyunin	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik; Ural Federal University
Silvia Spezzano	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
Paola Caselli	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik; Leeds, University of
Brett McGuire	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thanja Lamberts	Leiden, University of
Yvonne Pendleton	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Katarina Yocum	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Laurie Chu	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Giulia Perotti	Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie

* indicates the PI