H\(_2\) formation on interstellar dust grains: the viewpoints of theory, experiments, models and observations

Molecular hydrogen is the most abundant molecule in the universe. It is the first one to form and survive photo-dissociation in tenuous environments. Its formation involves catalytic reactions on the surface of interstellar grains. The micro-physics of the formation process has been investigated int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2017-11
Main Authors: Wakelam, Valentine, Bron, Emeric, Cazaux, Stephanie, Dulieu, Francois, Gry, Cécile, Guillard, Pierre, Habart, Emilie, Hornekær, Liv, Morisset, Sabine, Nyman, Gunnar, Pirronello, Valerio, Price, Stephen D, Valdivia, Valeska, Vidali, Gianfranco, Watanabe, Naoki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrochemistry
Astronomical models
Catalysis
Cosmic dust
Dust
Grains
Interstellar chemistry
Interstellar matter
Universe
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Summary:Molecular hydrogen is the most abundant molecule in the universe. It is the first one to form and survive photo-dissociation in tenuous environments. Its formation involves catalytic reactions on the surface of interstellar grains. The micro-physics of the formation process has been investigated intensively in the last 20 years, in parallel of new astrophysical observational and modeling progresses. In the perspectives of the probable revolution brought by the future satellite JWST, this article has been written to present what we think we know about the H\(_2\) formation in a variety of interstellar environments.
ISSN:2331-8422