Ices in planetary systems and the interstellar medium reside in a vacuum at low temperatures, yet they undergo changes caused by ionizing radiation composed of both particles and photons. Over several decades, it has become obvious that an understanding of such chemical changes is needed to explain the existence of known extraterrestrial molecules and to predict the discovery of new ones. Low-temperature spectroscopy has remained at the forefront of this work as it is the only method that leads to <i>in situ</i> detections and identifications in ices. It also has proven invaluable in the continuing effort to quantify molecular abundances. In this presentation, the speaker will review some of his and his colleagues' recent work in these areas, with attention to some of the more prominent chemical changes in ices, especially changes that have been found to be important, and are likely to be valuable in the future. Some challenges, suggestions, and predictions will be made, and a few pitfalls identified.

Spectroscopy of and radiation-chemical changes in astronomical ices

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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