Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
07:54
Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas
Published on: April 3, 2018
8.5K
Ice Coverage of Dust Grains in Cold Astrophysical Environments
Alexey Potapov1, Cornelia Jäger1, Thomas Henning2
1Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|June 23, 2020
Summary
Cosmic ice formation on dust grains is limited to a few layers, contrary to thick ice models. This finding highlights the crucial role of dust surface properties in interstellar chemistry.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Surface Science
- Astrophysical Modeling
Background:
- Astrophysical models often assume thick, multilayered ice on cosmic solids, neglecting dust surface interactions.
- Surface processes on cosmic solids are critical for gas-phase depletion and molecular complexity in cold environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the role of porous grain surfaces in ice formation.
- To challenge the assumption of thick ice layers in astrophysical models.
Main Methods:
- Experimental analysis of ice formation on porous grain analogues.
- Characterization of ice layer thickness and surface interactions.
Main Results:
- Experimental results show that cosmic dust grains are typically covered by only a few monolayers of ice.
- Demonstrated the significant influence of the dust surface on ice formation and properties.
Conclusions:
- The assumption of thick ice layers in astrophysical models is likely incorrect.
- Dust surface structure, composition, and reactivity are critical factors that need reevaluation in models of interstellar, protostellar, and protoplanetary environments.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature
779
Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
779
01:12Precipitation Processes
4.1K
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
4.1K
01:25Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
1.2K
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) atomizes samples through flame atomization or electrothermal atomization. Flame atomization typically involves a nebulizer and spray chamber assembly to combine the sample with a fuel–oxidant mixture, creating a fine aerosol mist that enters a burner. Typically, the fuel and oxidant are combined in an approximately stoichiometric ratio. However, for atoms that are easily oxidized, a fuel-rich mixture may be more advantageous. Only about 5% of the...
1.2K
02:06Conditions on Early Earth
100.0K
Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
100.0K
02:33Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
19.4K
Some solids can transition directly into the gaseous state, bypassing the liquid state, via a process known as sublimation. At room temperature and standard pressure, a piece of dry ice (solid CO2) sublimes, appearing to gradually disappear without ever forming any liquid. Snow and ice sublimate at temperatures below the melting point of water, a slow process that may be accelerated by winds and the reduced atmospheric pressures at high altitudes. When solid iodine is warmed, the solid sublimes...
19.4K
01:30Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference
512
In atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), high-temperature atomizers excite a broad range of elements and molecules that generate complex emissions from sources such as oxides, hydroxides, and flame combustion products in the flame or plasma. Several strategies can be employed to minimize spectral interferences caused by overlapping emission lines or bands. These include increasing instrument resolution, choosing alternative emission lines, optimally placing the detector in low-background regions,...
512