ExoMol is a database of molecular line lists that can be used for spectral characterisation and simulation of astrophysical environments such as
exoplanet
An exoplanet or extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System. The first possible evidence of an exoplanet was noted in 1917 but was not recognized as such. The first confirmation of detection occurred in 1992. A different planet, init ...
s,
brown dwarfs, cool stars and
sunspot
Sunspots are phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear as temporary spots that are darker than the surrounding areas. They are regions of reduced surface temperature caused by concentrations of magnetic flux that inhibit convection. Sun ...
s. The project is run by the theoretical molecular physics group of
University College London and is led by
Jonathan Tennyson.
New line lists for about 30 small molecules of astrophysical interest that currently lack a complete spectroscopic coverage are being generated. The list includes diatomics (e.g.,
C2,
O2, AlO,
MgH,
CaH,
FeH
Iron(I) hydride, systematically named iron hydride and poly(hydridoiron) is a solid inorganic compound with the chemical formula (also written or FeH). It is both thermodynamically and kinetically unstable toward decomposition at ambient temper ...
), triatomics (e.g.,
H2O,
H2S,
C3,
SO2), tetratomics (e.g.,
PH3,
HOOH,
H2CO) and a few larger molecules (most notably
CH4 and
HNO3). Full details on the ExoMol web site (www.exomol.com).
References
{{Reflist
Astrophysics