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G. J. Melnick (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
The wavelength range between 1 micron and 1 millimeter is particularly rich in spectral lines arising from molecules, atoms, and ions that sample a wide range of temperatures (10-10,000 K) and densities (103 - 107 cm-3). This wavelength range also includes somewhat broader features that have been identified with dust grains and grain mantles. Unfortunately, our ability to use these lines and features to help create a unified picture of the chemical evolution of the ISM has been severely hampered by a multitude of strong and pressure-broadened atmospheric absorption lines that have limited observations. This situation improved in the 1990's with the launch of spectrometers on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) and the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS). This talk will summarize some of the results from ISO and SWAS and how they have contributed to our understanding of important chemical processes in the ISM. With its high sensitivity, SIRTF will be able to complement the ISO and SWAS observations in very important ways. This talk will focus on SIRTF's role in helping to supply several missing pieces of the ISM chemistry puzzle.
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