# Collaborative Research: Chemistry of Hot Protostellar Gas

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI) · $433,880

## Abstract

Understanding planet formation requires knowledge of the chemical composition of the planet-forming material. The project will explore the chemistry of hot gas around protostars, where the first steps of planet formation are occurring. They will utilize high spatial resolution telescope observations along with chemical theory. The overall objective of this project is to identify key characteristics of the chemical composition of the material from which Earth-like planets form. The project will primarily support two graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher. The project will develop a series of nine astronomy lesson plans designed specifically for elementary school teachers, aimed to engage children with science at an early age. The lesson plans will also be developed in video format to be made available through portals accessible to homeschool teachers and those in classroom settings. 

The objective is to identify key characteristics of the chemical composition of terrestrial planet forming material, that is, material in the inner region of proto-stellar systems where the temperature is >300 K. The project will use extant ALMA data and accepted ALMA programs to directly characterize and contrast the content of both warm and hot gas. These results can be compared to existing models of bottom-up chemistry to quantify the abundance of hydrocarbons. The team will also use the ALMA data to search for distinct products of this chemistry via sophisticated line stacking an

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2509735
- **Awardee organization:** Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **PI:** Edwin Bergin
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS, OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
- **Estimated total:** $433,880
- **Funds obligated:** $433,880
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2509735

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2509735, Collaborative Research: Chemistry of Hot Protostellar Gas. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2509735. Licensed CC0.

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