Sydney Leach, Chair
Observatoire de Paris
Section de Meudon
Département Atomes et Molécules en Astrophysique
URA 812 du CNRS
5, place Jules Janssen
F-92195 Meudon Cedex
France
Since the last Report there has been considerable recognition of the astrophysical importance of interstellar, interplanetary, and cometary dust and their function as sources of cosmochemical reactions. Laboratory studies and simulations, as well as increasing observation of interstellar, interplanetary and cometary materials have developed in number and in depth. It is noticeable that this area has become attractive to surface science scientists as evidenced by their participation in recent workshops and meetings. However, so far, in spite of their relevance to astrophysical problems, relatively few laboratory studies have been directed towards the chemical aspects of those molecular reactions on solid surfaces. This report therefore deals mainly with physical and physico-chemical properties of materials within this context. As was the last, the present report is non-exhaustive and seeks to give indications to key studies in this area. Basic references to surface science studies and techniques were given in the last Report.