CAS@MPE Research

Structure

The CAS group includes experts in observations (including millimetre and sub-millimetre interferometry, radio and infrared telescopes), theory (physical processes and dynamics, gas-grain chemical processes and dust evolution, molecular astrophysics and collisional/rate coefficients), and the laboratory (focusing on molecular frequency measurements in the spectral windows of the new generation of telescopes).

The continuous interactions within CAS and the links with external national and international groups ensures a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment, where observers, theoreticians, chemists and molecular astrophysicists join their efforts with the ultimate goal of properly interpreting observations with the new generation telescopes and unveiling our astrochemical/physical heritage. This is sorely needed, as current interdisciplinary activity among groups with different scientific aims and backgrounds (e.g. astrophysicists, chemists, computer scientists), located in different countries, is not enough to keep up with the astrophysical data intake and interpretation.

CAS is a complete group, where fundamental astrophysical questions can be answered and current theoretical and laboratory needs fulfilled.

CAS plays a crucial role within the Max Planck Society. In fact, the unprecedented sensitivity and spectral resolution of current and future instrumentation make astrochemistry a key discipline in many fields of astrophysics, from Galactic star formation, to planet formation, to exoplanet atmospheres, to the Solar System, to extragalactic star formation in the local and early universe. Thus, other Max Planck Institutes may benefit from interactions with CAS.