The project “Evolution of Organic Matter in Regions of Star and Planet Formation (OMG)”, funded by Grant of the Latvian Council of Science, is coming to an end

June 29, 2021

The project OMG, led by A. Vasyunin, a senior visiting researcher at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, has been running since 2018 and will end in August 2021. It examines several aspects that affect the formation of organic compounds in space. This process is also relevant for the formation of life on Earth. Both astronomical observations and theoretical research (chemical modelling calculations) are being carried out to increase insight into the project’s topic in global science.


Chemical reactions on the surface of solid particles — interstellar dust — have an important role in organic synthesis in space. To reproduce the finest scale of this process — atomic and molecular level — project participants have developed a programme that can reproduce both the formation of dust and the movement of atoms across the surface of dust, which can result in atoms interacting and forming a molecule. Due to the conditions in the interstellar medium, dust is formed amorphous, i.e. without a regular crystalline structure.


The project also investigates in detail evaporation processes that occur when icy dust particles warm up in the interstellar medium. Ice that covers them in cold nebulae is composed of volatile substances, for example, nitrogen, carbon oxides etc., which evaporate sequentially, exposing deeper and deeper layers of ice while also affecting the composition of the gas phase.


Another type of chemical modelling — studies of the synthesis of organic compounds in the medium around massive star-forming regions — was started only in the second half of the project. In this theoretical work, a less detailed model is used, but it is able to reproduce various processes — reactions in the gaseous state and on the surface of dust, and the interaction of atoms and molecules with radiation moving through space. Such simulations reproduce the chemical evolution of cosmic star-forming nebulae over thousands and millions of years. The project investigates how the formed organic matter from the surface of dust reaches the gas phase, where it can be observed with radio telescopes from Earth. This modelling work is directly complemented by observations of methanol and other compound masers using Irbene radio telescopes. Organic matter masers (enhanced radio spectral line radiation transmitted by molecules) occur around young massive stars, and complementing their observations with astrochemical modelling will provide additional information about observed objects. The results of observations of masers have already been published in the scientific literature, and results indicate a high gas density in the regions around young massive stars.


Research continues with observational and modelling work on phosphorus, one of the most important chemical elements for life. In collaboration with German and Italian astronomers, observations of distant star-forming regions and much closer comets in the Solar System have been made. These data are complemented by astrochemical computer modelling. In deep space, phosphorus is most often found in compounds with carbon, while, in comets, there is mostly the diatomic molecule PO. Therefore, compounds with oxygen are most likely the form in which phosphorus, at the beginning of the Solar System, arrived in large quantities on the newly formed Earth, where it now serves as an essential component of DNA and other biomolecules.


Planets form and acquire their initial set of organic compounds in regions much closer to a newly formed protostar — in the protoplanetary disk. This issue was addressed in the project by modelling the distribution of organic matter in the protoplanetary disk in two dimensions.


There is little work left to be done on the project. One of the tasks is to obtain data on the evolution of physical conditions in star-forming nebula. The density, temperature and radiation level of the nebula determine the main chemical processes that affect the opportunities for organic synthesis. In addition, in cold environments, a layer of ice, in which molecules transform much slower than in the gaseous state, freezes on the dust particles. Therefore, not only the conditions at a given time are important but also the history of the nebula’s physical development. To study the influence of this aspect on the concentration of organic compounds in dark nebulae, astrochemical modelling is being carried out.


The research is being implemented within the Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research Project No. lzp-2018/1-0170 “Evolution of Organic Matter in Regions of Star and Planet Formation” (OMG) and lasts 36 months. The total project funding is EUR 300,000.00.

Share on other platforms

Other news

By Rota Rulle October 9, 2025
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, in cooperation with Jan Dlugosz University (Poland), will host the international forum “Beyond Words: (Inter)lingual Aspects in Practical Contexts” on October 9 and 10. The forum will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, Ventspils City Council, Jan Dlugosz University, the European Commission, and other stakeholders. The event will explore the challenges of translation, multilingualism, and intercultural communication. More information: https://en.venta.lv/colab-beyond-words
By Rota Rulle October 7, 2025
This academic year, the VUAS Lifelong Learning Centre is offering a new lecture cycle, "Science and Culture - for Society", featuring lectures by renowned scientists and distinguished personalities in Latvia, held once a month on Saturdays. On October 11, lectures by Juris Dzelmes, a leading researcher at the Institute of Chemical Physics of the University of Latvia, are scheduled to discuss the challenges of artificial intelligence. In parallel with research in the field of chemical physics, J. Dzelme's interests encompass problems in educational management, philosophy, psychology, and art, and he will discuss the possibilities, development, and threats of artificial intelligence. October 11 at 7 p.m. 11.30–14.30, at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, J. Dzelme will give an insight into the following topics: Digitalisation, robotisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligence; Emotions, free will and creativity in artificial and natural neural networks (AI and psyche); AI ethics, value and goal modelling; Supporting communities in an AI-driven world through art and philosophy, through physics and psychology. Application: https://www.venta.lv/muzizglitiba/pieteiksanas Price: 35 EUR More information: mic@venta.lv, tel. 63629650 
By Rota Rulle October 6, 2025
At 7 AM on the 24th September an airplane took off to fly to Brussels. It was a quiet morning, the air was charged with excitement and sleep deprivation, when seven 4TLT students, along with lecturer Zane France arrived at their destination, where they were welcomed by European Parliament’s vice-presidents’ assistant Guna Zaķe-Baltā. VUAS students had the opportunity to get lost in the ‘labyrinth’ of the European Parliament, attend a lecture about the work of both the European Parliament and its members, as well as get a glimpse into the history of the establishment. The students could learn about how actively (or not) Latvia participates in voting, how much ‘pocket money’ do members get, what is the monthly schedule and how often do the meetings happen in Brussels and Strasbourg. After the lecture the excursion continued, and the students saw a part of the enormous building of the Parliament (one can wonder, do the new hires get a compass and a map?), the famous conference room, gifts of the countries of the European Union (including artworks gifted by Latvia), and even the cabinet of Roberts Zīle (where the guests were greeted by sandwiches, apples, and chocolate :) ). The cherry on top was the opportunity to meet with the European Parliament’s interpreters Dace Rubene and Ilze Lauva, and the Head of the Latvian unit of Directorate-General of the European Commission Uldis Sproģis and talk about how many languages interpreters usually know, how does interpreting differ in the European Commission and European Parliament, what is retour, and what should one do if the speaker’s tempo is too fast, as well as if voice matters in interpreting. At the end, the students had the opportunity to try interpreting in the Conference Interpretation Booths (with the microphone, hopefully, turned off!) and interpret the conference about the safety of minors on the internet. It was a wonderful experience that allowed the students to learn about the professionalism of the interpreters and working in the Parliament, as well as internship opportunities and how difficult it is to become an interpreter in the European Parliament. In the evening and on the next day, the students were given free rein to taste Belgian chocolate, see the Peeing boy statue and ponder on whether to come back and work in the Parliament. Impressions of the participants: “Although I have never thought that conference interpreting is easy, this tour highlighted how difficult and challenging it actually is and what enormous wealth of background knowledge interpreters need to have.” “I really enjoyed the trip! At first, I wasn't too sure whether to participate, but I’m happy that I mustered up my courage and decided to go. I can definitely say that visiting the European Parliament is a wonderful opportunity, and that it was very interesting to learn about the work and experiences of the interpreters.” “I will definitely remember the visit to the European Parliament for an eternity, but the meeting with the interpreters that work there is what left the most significant impression. For a while I thought that they’re some kind of superheroes – which they definitely are – but after the meeting I realised that they are people just like us. Thanks to them, work in the European Parliament has turned from something intangible into a real possibility you can achieve by investing a lot of hard work.”
By Rota Rulle October 3, 2025
On September 26, the European Researchers’ Night events took place throughout Latvia, where colleges, universities, and scientific institutes opened their doors to visitors, offering a variety of free activities. At the VIZIUM Science Center, activities organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center (VIRAC) introduced visitors to the processes of star formation, comets, and other small bodies of the Solar System. Throughout the evening, visitors played language games, observed stars and planets through a telescope, and tried their hand at solving a mathematical puzzle – the Tower of Hanoi. Guests also had the opportunity to test their knowledge in various quizzes related to space and languages, gaining new insights along the way.
By Rota Rulle September 29, 2025
If you want to feel at home faster in our city of Ventspils and like to build your confidence in everyday conversations, and looking to make friends and integrate into the Latvian community, then join the first Language Café meeting – organized by COLOURS WP5 (EDI)! It’s a relaxed and welcoming meet-up where international and local students come together to: Practice different languages Make new friends Enjoy light snacks and friendly conversations No grammar tests, no pressure – just real conversations in small, friendly groups. Come as you are and enjoy the exchange of cultures and languages! Register HERE Tuesday, 30th September at D0, 16.30!
By Rota Rulle September 26, 2025
Approximately 700 million Europeans are constantly encouraged throughout their lives to learn as many languages as possible – whether in educational institutions, through self-study, for professional purposes, or out of personal interest. The Council of Europe states that multilingualism is a means to foster better intercultural understanding and is a key component of our continent’s cultural heritage. Representatives from the language centres of the COLOURS European Universities Alliance* joined forces in a collaborative project, creating a video greeting in honour of the European Day of Languages, celebrated annually on September 26. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is represented in this team by Rūta Maltisova, lecturer at the Faculty of Translation Studies, who also took part in the creation of the video greeting. Rūta is currently working together with colleagues from all COLOURS partner universities on a virtual language and culture guide – a glossary and language learning materials – which are planned to be developed and made available to all partner universities by the European Day of Languages in 2026. This initiative aims to support students and lecturers in learning and teaching nine European languages and cultures: Swedish, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Latvian, Polish, Croatian, and Macedonian. At the end of the video, greetings can be heard in each of the COLOURS alliance member languages, all translating into English as “Happy European Day of Languages!” or in Latvian, “Priecīgu Eiropas valodu dienu!” On the European Day of Languages, Rūta Maltisova encourages everyone to remember that languages are like bridges connecting different cultures. Without them, we would only be able to observe each other from a safe distance, separated by a potential barrier of prejudice that prevents us from understanding the essence and values of another culture. By learning a language, we also learn about the culture – and, in doing so, we learn about one another. Thanks to the COLOURS Universities Alliance, we learn something new every day about each other’s cultures, values, and, undoubtedly, languages. *Le Mans University (France), University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), University of Ferrara (Italy), Paderborn University (Germany), Jan Dlugosz University (Poland), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (North Macedonia), Kristianstad University (Sweden), and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).
Other news