Project:	Water Abundance in Photon-Dominated Regions (JPL AO No. 15994)
Discipline:	Astronomy/Astrophysics
Mentor:	Dariusz Lis, (JPL), Dariusz.C.Lis@jpl.nasa.gov, Phone: (626) 497-9374
Mentor URL:	http://www.submm.caltech.edu/~dcl/  (opens in new window)
Background:	Water molecules form efficiently in cold interstellar clouds, primarily via grain-surface chemical reactions on dust grains. Understanding whether there are universal pathways leading from this interstellar water reservoir to terrestrial planets in habitable zones is a subject of active research. Photon-dominated regions (PDRs), the surface layers of molecular clouds exposed to strong fluxes of UV photons from nearby massive stars, provide a unique laboratory for studying the related physical and chemical processes in diverse interstellar environments, via gas-phase far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopy [1].
Description:	The student will work with staff scientists on the analysis of archival water observations of PDRs with extensive molecular, atomic, and dust continuum observations from the Herschel Space Observatory. The observations will be interpreted using a state-of-the-art numerical model combining molecular cloud physics, chemistry, and radiative transfer, to determine variations in the water abundance within clouds and among clouds in different radiation environments. The task builds upon techniques previously developed for the analysis of the Orion Bar PDR [2], and will contribute to planning future studies of the water trail with the NASA FIR Astrophysics Probe.
References:	[1] van Dishoeck, E., et al. 2021, A&A, 648, A24. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202039084 [2] Putaud, T, et al. 2019, A&A, 632, A8. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201935402
Student Requirements:	Basic courses in astronomy, physics, or chemistry. Python programming skills. Interest in a career in the physical sciences.
Location / Safety:	Project building and/or room locations: . Student will need special safety training: .
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF@JPL    both Caltech and non-Caltech students  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.