Joint Astrophysical Colloquium
The Astrochemistry of Star and Planet Formation
Paola Caselli (MPE)
Thursday 19/03/2026 @ 11:30, Sala Antonio Sollima (IV piano Battiferro)
Molecules are powerful diagnostic tools for studying the interstellar medium and the physical processes regulating star and planet formation. Molecules in space also help us understand how chemical complexity grows during the evolution of interstellar matter, from clouds to protoplanetary disks to planets, which is essential to unveil our astrochemical origins. This is the realm of Astrochemistry, an interdisciplinary field where astrophysical observations and modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical chemistry proceed hand in hand. Significant progress has been made so far, thanks to the development of impressive radio, millimeter, and infrared telescopes, both on the ground and in space (e.g., ALMA, APEX, GBT, Herschel, IRAM, Yebes). These telescopes have shown that essential ingredients for life, such as water and organic molecules, which are precursors to prebiotic species, start forming in molecular clouds before protostars are born. These molecules are then stored in thick icy mantles on top of dust grains and, later, at least partially delivered into protoplanetary disks and eventually planetesimals and planets. Still, much work is needed to provide a comprehensive picture of the intricate chemical processes occurring in the gas phase and on the surfaces of dust grains during the various stages of star and planet formation. JWST has recently opened new sharp windows into the darkest clouds, the youngest protostars, the inner regions of protoplanetary disks, and the atmospheres of exoplanets. I'll review astrochemical achievements and present an astrochemical journey from clouds to planets, highlighting the open questions and future perspectives.