The frozen surfaces of objects in the outer reaches of the solar system are coated with ices that are known or presumed to contain small hydrocarbon molecules.  While these objects can be studied by earth-based and remote infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the interpretation of those spectra is complicated because spectral positions and lineshapes are dependent on unknown factors such as composition, temperature, and even particle size and shape. Detailed modeling of astronomical spectra requires significant input from laboratory studies, including IR spectroscopic measurements and determination of the refractive index of the ice in amorphous or crystalline phases at a variety of temperatures comparable to the astrophysical environment.  In this study, we report such measurements on several simple hydrocarbons of astrophysical interest.

Laboratory studies of hydrocarbon ices of astrophysical interest

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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