TMC-1: Probing the Onset of Chemical Complexity in Space
Abstract
In recent years, obsessive interest in the observation of TMC-1 has brought a boost in our knowledge of the chemistry of cold dark clouds. The number of molecules detected in this particular cloud has been more than doubled. Two observational programs, GOTHAM and QUIJOTE, are responsible for this spectacular achievement. Here, we provide an overall view of QUIJOTE, which is a line survey carried out in the Q-band (31-50 GHz) with the Yebes 40m radiotelescope, summarize the actual observational status of TMC-1, and discuss the chemistry of this remarkable source. We highlight the successes and failures of state-of-the-art chemical models to describe their chemical composition, with a particular emphasis on the origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which is yet far from being understood.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Zeolite Catalysis and Synthesis
Computational Drug Discovery Methods
Origins and Evolution of Life
Publication details
- Journal / source
- ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1345–1359
- Publication date
- 29 April 2026
- Language
- EN