Research Projects

The project aims to understand the formation and survival of polycyclic aromatic molecules (PAHs) in space, which are essential for the formation of life. The project is based on the results from five space missions Cassini-Huygens, Dawn, Rosetta, New Horizons, and Stardust, as well as complementary laboratory research. The main issues are the lack of standard photochemical models explaining the abundance of light molecules and the dynamic formation of large molecular species like PAHs and PANHs. The lab activity of the two groups will address these issues and consolidate science goals and design instrumentation for future missions. The project will validate the mechanism proposed from lab-based experiments, answer the question of prebiotic molecular fragments formed by radiation interaction with PAHs and their derivatives, and propose in-situ investigations targeted towards organic molecules through the development of proper instruments for missions performed by the Indian Space Research Organization in the next decade. The collaboration between the CNR-ISM group within the COST Actions and the IIST position within the Indian science panorama will disclose new possibilities for initiatives between Europe and India in fields of common and critical interests space, environment, and the formation and survival of PAH/PANHs.