Interstellar dust as a research area focuses on the physical, chemical, and optical properties of solid particles in the interstellar medium and their roles in astrophysical processes. This field investigates grain composition (e.g., silicates, carbonaceous materials, ices), size distributions, charge states, and surface chemistry, as well as how dust absorbs, scatters, and re-emits radiation, shaping extinction curves and infrared emission. Research examines dust formation and destruction in stellar outflows, shocks, and diffuse clouds, its role in molecular cloud cooling and star and planet formation, and its impact on cosmic abundances, radiative transfer, and observational diagnostics across the electromagnetic spectrum.
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