Ice Age JWST Inventory of Dense Molecular Cloud Ices

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the findings from the Ice Age JWST inventory of dense molecular cloud ices.

Icy grain mantles

The main reservoir of volatile elements linking chemical processes in dark interstellar clouds with the formation of planets.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

A space telescope that has exquisite sensitivity allowing for detailed study of molecular cloud ices.

Volatile elements

Elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur (CHONS) that are locked in ices.

Column density

The number of molecules or ions per unit area along a line of sight, used to quantify the abundance of different ice species.

Molecular clouds

Cold and dense regions in space where star formation occurs and where ices compose the majority of material.

13CO2

A carbon dioxide molecule with one carbon-13 isotope; detected as part of weak ice features.

H2O ice

Water ice that serves as a major component in the mixed ices detected in molecular clouds.

Complex organic molecules (COMs)

Organic molecules that may form from simple ices and serve as precursors to more complex biochemicals.

Optical depth

A measure of how opaque a medium is to radiation, used to assess the presence of ices.

Methanol (CH3OH)

An organic compound detected in ice, significant for its role in forming complex organic molecules.

Carbonyl sulfide (OCS)

A sulfur-bearing ice species detected in the observed spectra, indicating complex chemistry.

NH3

Ammonia ice, a N-carrying ice detected in isolation during the observational study.

Extinction (AV)

The measure of light absorption and scattering due to dust and gas along the line of sight; utilized to quantify ice compositions in dense clouds.

Composition of dense ices

The proportion and types of molecules found in frozen ices in molecular clouds, which influence planetary formation.

Chemical evolution

Changes in the chemical composition of ices over time, particularly as they relate to star and planet formation processes.

Quiescent molecular clouds

Stable regions in space where molecular chemistry can take place without significant dynamic activity.

Infrared spectroscopy

A technique used to analyze the interaction of infrared light with matter, applied here to identify ice compositions.

Extinction values (AV)

Quantified measures used to describe the opacity of space objects; important for assessing the density and composition of ices.

Organic ices

Ices that contain organic compounds such as methane and methanol, integral to the initial building blocks of life.

ALMA

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, another powerful observatory for studying molecular clouds.