Martin Andrew Cordiner

Martin Andrew Cordiner

  • RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • 301.286.8797
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 691
  • Greenbelt , MD 20771
  • Employer: CATHOLIC UNIV OF AMERICA
  • Brief Bio

    Dr. Martin Cordiner is a Research Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, Catholic University of America. He works as a full-time researcher in astrochemistry and planetary science at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Dr. Cordiner's research aims to understand the chemistry and physics of solar system bodies, interstellar clouds and circumstellar environments, using a combination of ground and space-based observations, combined with detailed computer simulations. By studying the origin and evolution of complex organic molecules as matter passes from interstellar clouds to circumstellar disks and planetary surfaces, Dr. Cordiner's research constitutes part of NASA's ongoing effort to understand the chemical conditions that could lead to life in the universe.

    Research Interests

    Research Interests

    Ground and space-based spectroscopy of gas and dust in Solar System bodies (including comets and icy sattelites), interstellar clouds and circumstellar environments, at wavelengths from the optical to radio. 

    Interferometric mapping of organic molecules in comets, protostars and Titan's atmosphere.

    Chemical kinetic modeling of hydrocarbons, nitriles and negative ions in cometary atmospheres, star-forming regions and stellar outflows.

    Radiative transfer and excitation modeling of molecular emission lines in extraterrestrial sources.

    Observations of Galactic and Extragalactic diffuse interstellar bands, including optical studies of fullerenes and small-scale strcuture in the ISM.
     

    Positions/Employment

    7/2021 - Present

    Research Associate Professor

    Catholic University of America, Washington DC
    10/2014 - 6/2021

    Principal Investigator in Astrochemistry and Planetary Science

    Catholic University of America, Washington DC
    3/2009 - 10/2014

    Research Associate in Astrochemistry and Astrobiology

    Catholic University of America, Washington DC
    10/2006 - 2/2009

    Research Fellow in Molecular Astrophysics

    Queen's University, Belfast, UK  
    6/2006 - 9/2006

    Business Science Fellow

    South African Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa  

    Education

    2006 - Ph.D in Astrochemistry, The University of Nottingham, UK
    2001 - MSci Hons. Physics, University of Bristol, UK

    Professional Societies

    American Astronomical Society, 2009 - Present

    Awards

    NASA Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement for Science Award 2015. For interferometric mapping of cometary and planetary atmospheres.

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Cordiner, M. A., N. A. Teanby, C. A. Nixon, et al. V. Vuitton, A. E. Thelen, and S. B. Charnley. 2019. "ALMA Spectral Imaging of Titan Contemporaneous with Cassini's Grand Finale." The Astronomical Journal, 158 (2): 76 [10.3847/1538-3881/ab2d20]

    Cordiner, M. A., M. Y. Palmer, M. D. Val-Borro, et al. S. B. Charnley, L. Paganini, G. Villanueva, D. Bockelée-Morvan, N. Biver, A. J. Remijan, Y.-J. Kuan, S. N. Milam, J. Crovisier, D. C. Lis, and M. J. Mumma. 2019. "ALMA Autocorrelation Spectroscopy of Comets: The HCN/H13CN Ratio in C/2012 S1 (ISON)." The Astrophysical Journal, 870 (2): L26 [10.3847/2041-8213/aafb05]

    Cordiner, M. A., C. A. Nixon, S. B. Charnley, et al. N. A. Teanby, E. M. Molter, Z. Kisiel, and V. Vuitton. 2018. "Interferometric Imaging of Titan’s HC3N, H13CCCN, and HCCC15N." The Astrophysical Journal, 859 (1): L15 [10.3847/2041-8213/aac38d]

    Lai, J.-Y., M. Cordiner, C. Nixon, et al. R. Achterberg, E. Molter, N. Teanby, M. Palmer, S. Charnley, J. Lindberg, Z. Kisiel, M. Mumma, and P. Irwin. 2017. "Mapping Vinyl Cyanide and Other Nitriles in Titan's Atmosphere Using ALMA." The Astronomical Journal, 154: 206 [10.3847/1538-3881/aa8eef]

    de Val-Borro, M., S. N. Milam, M. A. Cordiner, et al. S. B. Charnley, I. M. Coulson, A. J. Remijan, and G. L. Villanueva. 2017. "Measuring molecular abundances in comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) using the APEX telescope." Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 474 (1): 1099-1107 [10.1093/mnras/stx2802]

    Palmer, M., M. Cordiner, C. Nixon, et al. S. Charnley, N. Teanby, Z. Kisiel, P. Irwin, and M. Mumma. 2017. "ALMA detection and astrobiological potential of vinyl cyanide on Titan." Science Advances, 3: e1700022 [10.1126/sciadv.1700022]

    Cordiner, M. A., N. L. Cox, R. Lallement, et al. F. Najarro, J. Cami, T. R. Gull, B. H. Foing, H. Linnartz, D. J. Lindler, C. R. Proffitt, P. J. Sarre, and S. B. Charnley. 2017. "Searching for Interstellar C60+ Using a New Method for High Signal-to-noise HST/STIS Spectroscopy." The Astrophysical Journal, 843 (1): L2 [10.3847/2041-8213/aa78f7]

    Cordiner, M. A., J. Boissier, S. B. Charnley, et al. A. J. Remijan, M. J. Mumma, G. Villanueva, D. C. Lis, S. N. Milam, L. Paganini, J. Crovisier, D. Bockelee-Morvan, Y.-J. Kuan, N. Biver, and I. M. Coulson. 2017. "ALMA Mapping of Rapid Gas and Dust Variations in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON):New Insights into the Origin of Cometary HNC." The Astrophysical Journal, 838 (2): 147 [10.3847/1538-4357/aa6590]

    Cordiner, M. A., N. Biver, J. Crovisier, et al. D. Bockelée-Morvan, M. J. Mumma, S. B. Charnley, G. Villanueva, L. Paganini, D. C. Lis, S. N. Milam, A. J. Remijan, I. M. Coulson, Y.-J. Kuan, and J. Boissier. 2017. "Thermal Physics of the Inner Coma: ALMA Studies of the Methanol Distribution and Excitation in Comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS)." The Astrophysical Journal, 837 (2): 177 [10.3847/1538-4357/aa6211]

    Lindberg, J. E., S. B. Charnley, J. K. Jørgensen, M. A. Cordiner, and P. Bjerkeli. 2017. "EXTERNALLY HEATED PROTOSTELLAR CORES IN THE OPHIUCHUS STAR-FORMING REGION." The Astrophysical Journal, 835 (1): 3 [10.3847/1538-4357/835/1/3]

    Lindberg, J. E., S. B. Charnley, and M. A. Cordiner. 2016. "ON THE ORIGIN OF C4H AND CH3OH IN PROTOSTELLAR ENVELOPES." The Astrophysical Journal, 833 (1): L14 [10.3847/2041-8213/833/1/l14]

    Cordiner, M. A., A. C. Boogert, S. B. Charnley, et al. K. Justtanont, N. L. Cox, R. G. Smith, A. G. Tielens, E. S. Wirström, S. N. Milam, and J. V. Keane. 2016. "On the nature of the enigmatic object IRAS 19312+1950: “A rare phase of massive star formation?" The Astrophysical Journal, 828 (1): 51 [10.3847/0004-637x/828/1/51]

    Molter, E. M., C. A. Nixon, M. A. Cordiner, et al. J. Serigano, P. G. Irwin, N. A. Teanby, S. B. Charnley, and J. E. Lindberg. 2016. "ALMA OBSERVATIONS OF HCN AND ITS ISOTOPOLOGUES ON TITAN." The Astronomical Journal, 152 (2): 42 [10.3847/0004-6256/152/2/42]

    Serigano, J., C. A. Nixon, M. A. Cordiner, et al. P. G. Irwin, N. A. Teanby, S. B. Charnley, and J. E. Lindberg. 2016. "Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA." The Astrophysical Journal, 821 (1): L8 [10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/l8]

    Cordiner, M. A., M. Y. Palmer, C. A. Nixon, P. G. Irwin, and N. A. Teanby. 2015. "Ethyl Cyanide On Titan: Spectroscopic Detection and Mapping Using ALMA." ApJ, 800: L14.

    Cordiner, M. A., C. A. Nixon, N. Teanby, et al. P. G. Irwin, J. Serigano, G. L. Villanueva, and L. Paganini. 2014. "ALMA Measurements of the HNC and HC3N Distributions in Titans Atmosphere." ApJ, 795: L30.

    Cordiner, M. A., A. Remijan, J. Boissier, et al. S. N. Milam, M. J. Mumma, L. Paganini, and G. L. Villanueva. 2014. "Mapping the release of volatiles in the inner comae of comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array." ApJ, 792: L2.

    Cordiner, M. A., and S. B. Charnley. 2014. "Negative ion chemistry in the coma of comet 1P/Halley." Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 49: 21.

    Cordiner, M. A., J. V. Buckle, E. S. Wirstroem, A. O. Olofsson, and S. B. Charnley. 2013. "On the ubiquity of molecular anions in the dense interstellar medium." ApJ, 770: 48.

    McElroy, D., C. Walsh, A. J. Markwick, et al. M. A. Cordiner, K. Smith, and T. J. Millar. 2013. "The UMIST database for astrochemistry 2012." A&A, 550: 36.

    Cordiner, M. A., and S. B. Charnley. 2012. "Gas-grain chemical models for interstellar carbon chain anions." ApJ, 749: 120.

    Wirstroem, E. S., S. B. Charnley, M. A. Cordiner, and S. N. Milam. 2012. "Isotopic Anomalies in Primitive Solar System Matter: Spin-state-dependent Fractionation of Nitrogen and Deuterium in Interstellar Clouds." ApJ, 757: L11.

    Cordiner, M. A., S. B. Charnley, E. S. Wirstroem, and R. G. Smith. 2012. "Organic chemistry of low-mass star-forming cores I: 7 mm spectroscopy of Chamaeleon MMS1." ApJ, 744: 131.

    Liszt, H., P. Sonnentrucker, M. Cordiner, and M. Gerin. 2012. "The abundance of C3H2 and other small hydrocarbons in the diffuse interstellar medium." ApJ, 753: L28.

    Cordiner, M. A., S. B. Charnley, J. V. Buckle, C. Walsh, and T. J. Millar. 2011. "Discovery of Interstellar Anions in Cepheus and Auriga." The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 730: L18 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1088/2041-8205/730/2/L18]

    Non-Refereed

    Molter, E., C. Nixon, M. Cordiner, et al. S. Charnley, P. Irwin, J. Serigano, and N. Teanby. 2016. "Observations of HCN and its Isotopologues on Titan using ALMA." American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts 227: 141.19.

    Brief Bio

    Dr. Martin Cordiner is a Research Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, Catholic University of America. He works as a full-time researcher in astrochemistry and planetary science at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Dr. Cordiner's research aims to understand the chemistry and physics of solar system bodies, interstellar clouds and circumstellar environments, using a combination of ground and space-based observations, combined with detailed computer simulations. By studying the origin and evolution of complex organic molecules as matter passes from interstellar clouds to circumstellar disks and planetary surfaces, Dr. Cordiner's research constitutes part of NASA's ongoing effort to understand the chemical conditions that could lead to life in the universe.

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Cordiner, M. A., N. A. Teanby, C. A. Nixon, et al. V. Vuitton, A. E. Thelen, and S. B. Charnley. 2019. "ALMA Spectral Imaging of Titan Contemporaneous with Cassini's Grand Finale." The Astronomical Journal 158 (2): 76 [10.3847/1538-3881/ab2d20]

    Cordiner, M. A., M. Y. Palmer, M. D. Val-Borro, et al. S. B. Charnley, L. Paganini, G. Villanueva, D. Bockelée-Morvan, N. Biver, A. J. Remijan, Y.-J. Kuan, S. N. Milam, J. Crovisier, D. C. Lis, and M. J. Mumma. 2019. "ALMA Autocorrelation Spectroscopy of Comets: The HCN/H13CN Ratio in C/2012 S1 (ISON)." The Astrophysical Journal 870 (2): L26 [10.3847/2041-8213/aafb05]

    Cordiner, M. A., C. A. Nixon, S. B. Charnley, et al. N. A. Teanby, E. M. Molter, Z. Kisiel, and V. Vuitton. 2018. "Interferometric Imaging of Titan’s HC3N, H13CCCN, and HCCC15N." The Astrophysical Journal 859 (1): L15 [10.3847/2041-8213/aac38d]

    Lai, J.-Y., M. Cordiner, C. Nixon, et al. R. Achterberg, E. Molter, N. Teanby, M. Palmer, S. Charnley, J. Lindberg, Z. Kisiel, M. Mumma, and P. Irwin. 2017. "Mapping Vinyl Cyanide and Other Nitriles in Titan's Atmosphere Using ALMA." The Astronomical Journal 154 206 [10.3847/1538-3881/aa8eef]

    de Val-Borro, M., S. N. Milam, M. A. Cordiner, et al. S. B. Charnley, I. M. Coulson, A. J. Remijan, and G. L. Villanueva. 2017. "Measuring molecular abundances in comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) using the APEX telescope." Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 474 (1): 1099-1107 [10.1093/mnras/stx2802]

    Palmer, M., M. Cordiner, C. Nixon, et al. S. Charnley, N. Teanby, Z. Kisiel, P. Irwin, and M. Mumma. 2017. "ALMA detection and astrobiological potential of vinyl cyanide on Titan." Science Advances 3 e1700022 [10.1126/sciadv.1700022]

    Cordiner, M. A., N. L. Cox, R. Lallement, et al. F. Najarro, J. Cami, T. R. Gull, B. H. Foing, H. Linnartz, D. J. Lindler, C. R. Proffitt, P. J. Sarre, and S. B. Charnley. 2017. "Searching for Interstellar C60+ Using a New Method for High Signal-to-noise HST/STIS Spectroscopy." The Astrophysical Journal 843 (1): L2 [10.3847/2041-8213/aa78f7]

    Cordiner, M. A., J. Boissier, S. B. Charnley, et al. A. J. Remijan, M. J. Mumma, G. Villanueva, D. C. Lis, S. N. Milam, L. Paganini, J. Crovisier, D. Bockelee-Morvan, Y.-J. Kuan, N. Biver, and I. M. Coulson. 2017. "ALMA Mapping of Rapid Gas and Dust Variations in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON):New Insights into the Origin of Cometary HNC." The Astrophysical Journal 838 (2): 147 [10.3847/1538-4357/aa6590]

    Cordiner, M. A., N. Biver, J. Crovisier, et al. D. Bockelée-Morvan, M. J. Mumma, S. B. Charnley, G. Villanueva, L. Paganini, D. C. Lis, S. N. Milam, A. J. Remijan, I. M. Coulson, Y.-J. Kuan, and J. Boissier. 2017. "Thermal Physics of the Inner Coma: ALMA Studies of the Methanol Distribution and Excitation in Comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS)." The Astrophysical Journal 837 (2): 177 [10.3847/1538-4357/aa6211]

    Lindberg, J. E., S. B. Charnley, J. K. Jørgensen, M. A. Cordiner, and P. Bjerkeli. 2017. "EXTERNALLY HEATED PROTOSTELLAR CORES IN THE OPHIUCHUS STAR-FORMING REGION." The Astrophysical Journal 835 (1): 3 [10.3847/1538-4357/835/1/3]

    Lindberg, J. E., S. B. Charnley, and M. A. Cordiner. 2016. "ON THE ORIGIN OF C4H AND CH3OH IN PROTOSTELLAR ENVELOPES." The Astrophysical Journal 833 (1): L14 [10.3847/2041-8213/833/1/l14]

    Cordiner, M. A., A. C. Boogert, S. B. Charnley, et al. K. Justtanont, N. L. Cox, R. G. Smith, A. G. Tielens, E. S. Wirström, S. N. Milam, and J. V. Keane. 2016. "On the nature of the enigmatic object IRAS 19312+1950: “A rare phase of massive star formation?" The Astrophysical Journal 828 (1): 51 [10.3847/0004-637x/828/1/51]

    Molter, E. M., C. A. Nixon, M. A. Cordiner, et al. J. Serigano, P. G. Irwin, N. A. Teanby, S. B. Charnley, and J. E. Lindberg. 2016. "ALMA OBSERVATIONS OF HCN AND ITS ISOTOPOLOGUES ON TITAN." The Astronomical Journal 152 (2): 42 [10.3847/0004-6256/152/2/42]

    Serigano, J., C. A. Nixon, M. A. Cordiner, et al. P. G. Irwin, N. A. Teanby, S. B. Charnley, and J. E. Lindberg. 2016. "Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA." The Astrophysical Journal 821 (1): L8 [10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/l8]

    Cordiner, M. A., M. Y. Palmer, C. A. Nixon, P. G. Irwin, and N. A. Teanby. 2015. "Ethyl Cyanide On Titan: Spectroscopic Detection and Mapping Using ALMA." ApJ 800 L14

    Cordiner, M. A., C. A. Nixon, N. Teanby, et al. P. G. Irwin, J. Serigano, G. L. Villanueva, and L. Paganini. 2014. "ALMA Measurements of the HNC and HC3N Distributions in Titans Atmosphere." ApJ 795 L30

    Cordiner, M. A., A. Remijan, J. Boissier, et al. S. N. Milam, M. J. Mumma, L. Paganini, and G. L. Villanueva. 2014. "Mapping the release of volatiles in the inner comae of comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array." ApJ 792 L2

    Cordiner, M. A., and S. B. Charnley. 2014. "Negative ion chemistry in the coma of comet 1P/Halley." Meteoritics and Planetary Science 49 21

    Cordiner, M. A., J. V. Buckle, E. S. Wirstroem, A. O. Olofsson, and S. B. Charnley. 2013. "On the ubiquity of molecular anions in the dense interstellar medium." ApJ 770 48

    McElroy, D., C. Walsh, A. J. Markwick, et al. M. A. Cordiner, K. Smith, and T. J. Millar. 2013. "The UMIST database for astrochemistry 2012." A&A 550 36

    Cordiner, M. A., and S. B. Charnley. 2012. "Gas-grain chemical models for interstellar carbon chain anions." ApJ 749 120

    Wirstroem, E. S., S. B. Charnley, M. A. Cordiner, and S. N. Milam. 2012. "Isotopic Anomalies in Primitive Solar System Matter: Spin-state-dependent Fractionation of Nitrogen and Deuterium in Interstellar Clouds." ApJ 757 L11

    Cordiner, M. A., S. B. Charnley, E. S. Wirstroem, and R. G. Smith. 2012. "Organic chemistry of low-mass star-forming cores I: 7 mm spectroscopy of Chamaeleon MMS1." ApJ 744 131

    Liszt, H., P. Sonnentrucker, M. Cordiner, and M. Gerin. 2012. "The abundance of C3H2 and other small hydrocarbons in the diffuse interstellar medium." ApJ 753 L28

    Cordiner, M. A., S. B. Charnley, J. V. Buckle, C. Walsh, and T. J. Millar. 2011. "Discovery of Interstellar Anions in Cepheus and Auriga." The Astrophysical Journal Letters 730 L18 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1088/2041-8205/730/2/L18]

    Non-Refereed

    Molter, E., C. Nixon, M. Cordiner, et al. S. Charnley, P. Irwin, J. Serigano, and N. Teanby. 2016. "Observations of HCN and its Isotopologues on Titan using ALMA." American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts 227 141.19

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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