Prof. Stefan Vogt-Geisse visits Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics to study Cosmic Ray-Driven Chemistry in CO ices

As part of an international research collaboration, Prof. Stefan Vogt-Geisse recently conducted a research stay at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Munich, Germany, working within the renowned Center for Astrochemical Studies (CAS), led by Dr. Paola Caselli.

During the stay, the focus of the research was on cosmic ray-driven chemistry in CO ices, in collaboration with Dr. Alexei Ivlev and Dr. Michela Giuliano. This interdisciplinary effort combines experimental and computational astrochemistry to better understand how high-energy particles alter the chemical makeup of interstellar CO ices.

In particular Dr. Vogt-Geisse elucidated reaction pathways using quantum chemical calculations, with the goal of explaining the formation of experimentally observed products. These theoretical insights help uncover the underlying mechanisms of non-thermal chemistry in cold astrophysical environments, where cosmic rays can trigger complex molecular transformations.

This collaboration has already produced promising results, and two manuscripts are currently in preparation for publication. The work underscores the importance of theory–experiment synergies in modern astrochemistry and consolidates the collaboration of Prof. Stefan Vogt-Geisse research group and the Center of Astrochemical Studies.