Remote Sensing and Returned Samples from Moon Mission

In recent years, remote sensing and samples returned from lunar missions have repeatedly provided evidence that there is water on Earth's seemingly bone-dry satellite. However, since there have been no direct on-site investigations to date, the nature of lunar water is not yet sufficiently understood. Fundamental questions about its origin, form and distribution are still open. The VOLARIS project, short for "Volatile dynamics and regolith interactions on solar system bodies", aims to answer these questions using a novel modeling and experimental approach.

The focus of the research is on the combined physical, chemical and thermal processes that determine the dynamic behavior of volatile water on the moon. These investigations are relevant for a variety of molecules and noble gases and can advance the understanding of the dynamics of volatile substances on celestial bodies without an atmosphere. The findings are also crucial for future astronautical and robotic missions, because water is not only a foodstuff, but can also be used as rocket fuel through electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen.

From Galactic Winds to the Circumgalactic Medium

The project ReMMU, short for "Resolving the Multiscale, Multiphase Universe," aims to tackle a fundamental challenge in our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution: the physics that regulates the galactic ecosystem. "Current cosmological simulations do not capture the multiphase structure of galactic halos and show a lack of convergence even for basic gas properties," explains Max Gronke. "This severely limits our ability to interpret existing observations and make reliable predictions about the circumgalactic medium."

The ReMMU project will address this problem by developing and implementing innovative computational methods to better model multiphase gas in cosmological simulations. This approach will enable more accurate comparisons with observational data and advance our understanding of galactic ecosystems across cosmic time scales. "This work will shed light on the drivers of galactic growth and feedback mechanisms, which are central to understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies," adds Dr. Gronke.

ERC Press Release
TUM Press Release
MPA Press Release

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Philipp Reiß
Technical University Munich / Excellence Cluster ORIGINS
email: p.reiss(at)tum.de

Dr. Max Gronke
Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics / Excellence Cluster ORIGINS
E-Mail: maxbg(at)mpa-garching.mpg.de