Commission B5 WG Spectroscopic and Radiative Data for Molecules

Description

Radiative processes, especially at ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and millimeter wavelengths, provide essential information on molecular abundances and excitation in astronomical environments. Analysis of transitions at these wavelengths reveals abundances in diffuse interstellar clouds, stellar and planetary atmospheres, molecular interstellar clouds, disks surrounding both newly forming stars and stars nearing their end, and active galactic nuclei. Radiative excitation plays a role in diffuse clouds, star forming regions, stellar atmospheres, and active galactic nuclei. Moreover, photochemical models rely on cross sections for dissociation and ionization. The Working Group provides a report on the latest experimental and theoretical results for the astronomical community in time for distribution at IAU General Assemblies.