BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The chemical heritage of protoplanetary disks: new insights from A LMA and Rosetta
 - Catherine Walsh (Leiden University) DTSTART:20160204T160000Z DTEND:20160204T170000Z UID:TALK63475@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:Simon Hodgkin DESCRIPTION:Protoplanetary disks are the birth sites of planets and planet esimals such as comets. Gas and ice chemistry during protoplanetary disk formation and evolution ultimately determines the composition of\nplanet- and comet-building material\, the study of which is important for gaining insight into our origins. In recent years\, our understanding of the\nche mical composition and structure of nearby disks has advanced significantly . The Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) has revealed th e dust and gas structure of disks at (sub)mm wavelengths with unparalleled resolution\, approaching size scales commensurate with that of\nour own s olar system (< 50 AU). In addition\, the Rosetta mission is measuring the composition of comet 67P/C-G in situ with unprecedented accuracy. The co metary material is likely representative of that in the natal protoplaneta ry disk around the young sun.\n\nIn this seminar\, I will discuss the vari ous chemical processes which occur in protoplanetary disks and their relat ive importance in determining the\ncomposition of the planet- and comet-bu ilding material. I will discuss the results of protoplanetary disk chemic al models in light of recent ALMA results which probe the cooler outer dis k\, and I will also describe the potential formation routes and observabil ity of so-called "complex organic molecules"\, species that are considered to be the precursors of prebiotic molecules\, such as amino acids. I will discuss how transformational results\nfrom the Rosetta mission are sheddi ng new light on the heritage of comet-building material.\n LOCATION:Sackler Lecture Theatre\, IoA (tea at 3:30 pm) END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR