Researchers at Stockholm University are studying how molecules can form in the extremely cold conditions of interstellar space. In the vast gas clouds that drift between stars, temperatures can drop to nearly −270°C, yet chemical reactions still occur, leading to the formation of new molecules.The research team led by Henning Schmidt is investigating the fundamental processes that allow matter to form under such extreme conditions. These gas clouds, known as the interstellar medium, contain hydrogen atoms along with smaller amounts of helium and carbon, as well as dust particles and cosmic radiation.Despite the extremely low temperatures that normally slow down chemical reactions, atoms in these clouds can still move slowly and interact. Over time, these interactions can create molecules that eventually contribute to the formation of new stars.By studying these processes, scientists hope to better understand how matter evolves in space and how star formation begins in dense regions of interstellar clouds.
Source:Stockholm University
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