GBT26A-030

One Ring to Find Them All and in the Dark Clouds Bind Them

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are believed to account for up to 25% of all interstellar carbon and play vital roles in star- and planet-formation, yet individual PAHs had remained elusive in the cold interstellar medium until their recent discovery in TMC-1. Remarkably, these multi-ring aromatics were found at similar abundances -- defying traditional trends of molecular complexity -- and raising fundamental questions about their origin, ubiquity, and chemical evolution. This proposal seeks to test whether TMC-1 is exceptional or emblematic by confirming tentative evidence for PAHs in two additional dark clouds, S1a and S1b, using deep GBT observations. By targeting multiple CN-functionalized PAHs with high sensitivity and high spectral resolution, we will critically evaluate competing top-down and bottom-up formation scenarios and trace the inheritance of cosmic aromatics from molecular clouds on their next steps to star and planet formation.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Gabi Wenzel *	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Reace Willis	British Columbia, University of
Tony Remijan	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Green Bank Observatory
CI XUE	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael McCarthy	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Andrew Burkhardt	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian; Wellesley College; Worcester State University
Ilsa Cooke	British Columbia, University of; Rennes 1, Université de
Ted Bergin	Michigan at Ann Arbor, University of
Andrew Lipnicky	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Rochester Institute of Technology
Ryan Loomis	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Alex Byrne	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Brett McGuire	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology

* indicates the PI