Experimental studies of chemical reactions on surfaces of astrophysical interest

Catalytic reactions involving hydrogen and heavier species take place on surfaces of dust particles in the extreme conditions of several astrophysical environments. Up to now, most investigations of surface catalysis have been carried out only on materials and in temperature ranges that are not of great relevance to space applications. In this review, we describe how surface science tools can be employed to study physical/chemical processes leading to formation of molecules at surfaces under astrophysically relevant conditions. An apparatus to study key reactions on low temperature surfaces is described in detail, as well as measurement procedures and selected results of astrophysical relevance.