Identifying organic molecules in space: the AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX misson concept

Scott Sandford; Louis Allamandola; Jesse D. Bregman; Kimberly A. Ennico; Thomas P. Greene; Douglas Hudgins; Donald W. Strecker

doi:10.1117/12.454757

5 February 2002 Identifying organic molecules in space: the AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX misson concept

Scott Sandford, Louis Allamandola, Jesse D. Bregman, Kimberly A. Ennico, Thomas P. Greene, Douglas Hudgins, Donald W. Strecker

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4495, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology IV; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454757
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

In this paper we review our current state of knowledge regarding the identity of organic and related compounds in the interstellar medium (ISM). The remote detection and identification of organics is ideally suited to the technique of infrared spectroscopy since such data can be obtained telescopically and this spectral range encompasses the fundamental vibrational modes of common molecular bonds. Despite recent advances in our knowledge of the organic component of the ISM, we are still far from understanding the distribution, abundance and evolutionary inter- relationship of these materials within our galaxy and the universe as a whole. Many of these issues can be addressed by the acquisition of new infrared spectra. We briefly describe a potential new Explorer-class space mission capable of obtaining such data, the AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) which consists of a space observatory capable of obtaining spectra in the 2.5-16.0 micrometers range at a spectral resolution of (Delta) $lamda/(lambda) equals 2000-3000. ABE would be capable of addressing outstanding problems in Astrochemistry and Astrophysics that are particularly relevant to Astrobiology and addressable via astronomical observation. ABE would have approximately one year lifetime during which it would obtain a coordinated set of infrared spectroscopic observations of large numbers of galaxies, stars, planetary nebulae, interstellar clouds, young star planetary systems and objects within our own Solar System.

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Scott Sandford, Louis Allamandola, Jesse D. Bregman, Kimberly A. Ennico, Thomas P. Greene, Douglas Hudgins, and Donald W. Strecker "Identifying organic molecules in space: the AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX misson concept", Proc. SPIE 4495, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology IV, (5 February 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454757

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