The Cosmic Ice Laboratory

Dr. Robert Ferrante Professor of Chemistry US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD 21402-5000 ferrante@usna.edu USNA Web Page

Present Positions

Astrochemist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Astrochemistry Laboratory

Professor of Chemistry, US Naval Academy

Education

Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Florida

Research Areas

Chemistry and physics of cosmic ices (cometary, icy satellite, and interstellar)
Measurements of optical constants and refractive indices of ices
Radiation chemistry and photochemistry applied to astrochemical problems
Molecular spectroscopy

Selected Refereed Publications

Hudson, R. L., Gerakines, P. A., and Ferrante, R. F. (2018). IR Spectra and Properties of Solid Acetone, an Interstellar and Cometary Molecule. Spectrochimica Acta , 193, 33-39. PDF

Hudson, R. L., Ferrante, R. F., and Moore, M. H. (2014). Infrared Spectra and Optical Constants of Astronomical Ices: I. Amorphous and Crystalline Acetylene. Icarus, 228, 276-287. PDF

Knez, C., Moore, M. H., Ferrante, R. F., and Hudson, R. L. (2012). Laboratory IR Studies and Astrophysical Implications of C₂H₂-Containing Binary Ices. The Astrophysical Journal, 748, 95. PDF

Moore, M. H., Ferrante, R. F., Moore, W. J., and Hudson, R. L. (2010). Infrared Spectra and Optical Constants of Nitrile Ices Relevant to Titan's Atmosphere. The Astrophysical Journal - Supplement, 191, 96-112. PDF

Ferrante, R. F., Moore, M. H., Spiliotis, M. M., and Hudson, R. L. (2008). Formation of Interstellar OCS: Radiation Chemistry and IR Spectra of Precursor Ices. Astrophysical Journal, 684, 1210-1220. PDF

Moore, M. H., Ferrante, R. F., Hudson, R. L., and Stone, J. N. (2007). Ammonia - Water Ice Laboratory Studies Relevant to Outer Solar System Surfaces. Icarus, 190, 260-273. PDF

Moore, M. H., Hudson, R. L., and Ferrante, R. F. (2003). Radiation Products in Processed Ices Relevant to Edgeworth-Kuiper-Belt Objects. Earth, Moon, and Planets, 92, 291-306. PDF