In this quarter, a new activity was launched in the project, in which previously, in the Activity 1.1 the results of the operation on how often cosmic ray particles heat interstellar dust were inserted and applied in an astrochemical model. Such computer models are used to reproduce and study chemical (and with them physical) processes in nebulae in the interstellar environment and in star-forming regions, wherever molecules are found in space. The model includes an appropriate description of the physical environment (in this case, the nucleus of a dense nebula that has slowly collapsed under its own weight) in which chemical processes take place – interactions between atoms, molecules and ions, molecular decay under interstellar radiation (ultraviolet photons and cosmic rays), and compounds land on the surface of interstellar dust, where they continue to react, forming a layer of ice. It is this layer that is affected by the warming of dust caused by cosmic rays. The astrochemical model was used to study which dust temperatures (warming modes) affect dust to some extent, causing evaporation of various molecules and other processes. It has been found that heating the dust to 40 degrees above absolute zero is sufficient to cause mass evaporation of carbon monoxide CO (the usual interstellar dust temperature is around 10 degrees above absolute zero), causing significant changes in the chemical composition of the nebulae. The manuscript of the publication of this study is currently being drafted. 

Information published: 01.10.2018.

During the quarter, the postdoctoral student continued and completed the project Activity 1.1. ‘Complete Warming of Dust in Dark Nebulae Caused by Cosmic Rays’. Most of the direct research work had already been completed and is now described in a manuscript of a scientific publication. Dozens of images were also prepared for visualization of the results. As is often the case, an error was found in the interpretation of the results, which led to some of the voluminous calculations having to be repeated. A comparison has also been made with previously published data on the interaction between interstellar dust and cosmic rays.

 From 2 to 4 May, the postdoctoral student participated in the international scientific conference ‘Space Rays: Salt Star Formation Recipe’ on the topics of astrochemistry and cosmic rays with two reports summarizing the research done and previously carried out in the project.

 Information published: 2/7/2018

In the first quarter of the activity, according to the project plan, it was calculated how often the cosmic rays collide with the dust and how much energy they return to the dust. This included the calculation of the cosmic ray spectrum for space nebulae with different interstellar gas contents, as well as calculations to characterize the interaction of cosmic ray particles with dust. Dust is described as a grain of mineral olivine covered with an ice layer of water and carbon monoxide. Extensive data have been obtained and compiled, which will be interpreted in the coming months and will serve as a basis for scientific publication. In the second month of the project launch, a press release was published about the project launch. February 23, participation in the 76th Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia with a report ‘Cosmic Rays Heat Dust: how does it Affect the Composition of Interstellar Nebulae?’

 Information published: 2/4/2018