44 research outputs found
Carbon-Chain Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium
The presence of carbon-chain molecules in the interstellar medium (ISM) has
been known since the early 1970s and such species have been identified
to date, making up of the total of detected ISM molecules. They are
prevalent not only in star-forming regions in our Galaxy, but also in other
galaxies. These molecules provide important information on physical conditions,
gas dynamics, and evolutionary stages of star-forming regions. More complex
species of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes (C and
C) have been detected in circumstellar envelopes around carbon-rich
Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and planetary nebulae, while PAHs are also
known to be a widespread component of interstellar dust in most galaxies.
Recently, two line survey projects toward the starless core Taurus Molecular
Cloud-1 with large single-dish telescopes have detected many new carbon-chain
species, including molecules containing benzene rings. These new findings raise
fresh questions about carbon-bearing species in the Universe. This article
reviews various aspects of carbon-chain molecules, including observational
studies, chemical simulations, quantum calculations, and laboratory
experiments, and discusses open questions and how they may be answered by
future facilities.Comment: This is a review article submitted to the Publications of the
Astronomical Society of Japan. Comments are welcom