Themes

Within the broad field of astrochemistry we have defined four major astrochemical themes where Dutch astronomy and chemistry have particular strong expertise and experience as well as access to unique observational or experimental facilities. The four selected themes are:

• Gas-phase Astrochemistry where formation and destruction as well as the excitation of simple molecules are studied;
• The Solid Universe where the relationship between dust and molecules is addressed;
• From PAHs to chains, rings, and cages, which studies the chemical evolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules in space;
• The Prebiotic Universe, which studies possible links between interstellar precursor molecules and key biomolecules.