Murthy Gudipati
Principal Scientist
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
http://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Gudipati
Research Summary:
The goal is to understand “the physics and chemistry of solar system and interstellar ices”, or simply - evolution of ices in the Universe - through laboratory simulations, observations and instrumentation.
Murthy's research in the recent past has focused on physics and chemistry of cryogenic ices. This research builds on the over 15 years of earlier expertise on chemical physics / physical chemistry, spectroscopy, and photochemistry of atmospheric and organic molecules in cryogenic matrices. Most fascinating and still not well understood is the physics and chemistry of cryogenic ices, with applications ranging from evolution of icy bodies in the solar system, in the interstellar medium; aerosol chemistry in Earth's atmosphere; chemistry of polar ices; and astrobiology. Knowledge acquired through laboratory experiments on ices is crucial in order to develop next generation instrumentation concepts for orbiter remote sensing, in-situ lander, rover, or manned missions.
Title 1: Chemistry of/in Ices in the Universe
Abstract 1:
Water is present throughout the Universe in its solid form as ice. Ice can be found in a wide range of temperatures based on its environment: 10 K in the interstellar medium to ~273 K on the Earth. Ice is also found in the Universe under extreme radiation environments – from totally dark low-radiation surroundings such as dense molecular clouds (DMCs) in the interstellar medium (ISM) to heavy radiation environment such as on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. Thus, it is important to understand how these ices evolve in the above-mentioned extreme environments. Observational data indicates that water-ice also contains impurities such as organics. An important aspect of understanding the evolution of ices in the Universe is to determine, whether life can exist, survive, and thrive in extreme temperature and radiation icy environments (astrobiology).
The talk will focus on:
- What are the basic physical and chemical processes that could occur in ices containing impurities?
- What radiation sources induce which type of chemical and physical processes?
- How the temperature range affects the chemistry in ices?
- How organic molecules evolve in these ices?
Title 2: Spectroscopy of Ices from VUV – to - FIR
Abstract 2:
Evolution of icy surfaces in the solar system is monitored through the remote surface spectral mapping using payload instruments on board various spacecrafts. Such spectral data needs laboratory counterparts for accurate interpretation. In our laboratory we focus on the spectroscopy of ices from VUV (vacuum ultraviolet) to FIR (far infrared), covering 0.13 to 500 microns. Cassini mission to Saturn has delivered rich amount of spectroscopic data from Saturn’s rings and moons. Future flagship missions will be investigating several outer planetary icy objects. A strong spectroscopic understanding of ices in the laboratory will in turn enable better interpretation of the data from past, present, and future missions to icy objects.
The talk will focus on:
- Spectroscopic properties of water-ices
- Spectroscopic properties of impurities in ices
- Spectroscopic differences between amorphous and crystalline ices
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