Chemical complexity in the interstellar medium and star formation group

Astrochemistry and chemical complexity in space

We study the chemistry of the interstellar medium (ISM) along the whole process of star formation, from molecular clouds, starless/prestellar cores, hot corinos/cores and disks. We are especially interested in interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs) and phosphorus-bearing molecules as precursors of prebiotic compounds believed to be involved in the emergence of life. We follow an interdisciplinary approach using astronomical observations as well as quantum chemical calculations and astrochemical modeling. The chemical content of interstellar gas and dust particles is analyzed using facilities such as ALMA and IR telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

• Search of RNA world molecular precursors in space

• Interstellar phosphorus chemistry

• Starless/prestellar cores

• Hot corinos and hot cores

• Nearby galaxies

• Isotopic ratios across the Galaxy

• Quantum chemical calculations

• Chemical modeling

Star and planet formation

We use molecules as probes of the physical processes taking place in star- and planet-forming regions. We cover both low-mass and high-mass star-formation across different scales, both in our galaxy and in external galaxies. We use high-angular resolution imaging with interferometers such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/Sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA). 

• Low-mass star formation

• High-mass star formation

• Galactic center

• Nearby galaxies

Analysis software

Our group develops the software MADCUBA (MAdrid Data CUBe Analysis) to analyze astronomical datacubes and multiple spectra from the main astronomical facilities (ALMA, Herschel, VLA, NOEMA, IRAM 30m, Yebes 40m, APEX, GBT, Effelberg...).

MADCUBA has been designed to combine an user friendly interface and a powerful data analysis system. It is able to deal with large datacubes and provide the tools needed to interpret and analize the data.

MADCUBA is a open software freely available for the community. You can download the package from the MADCUBA website.