About

COMPASS (Complex Organic Molecules in Protostars with ALMA Spectral Surveys) is an ALMA Large Program to systematically characterise the presence of complex organic molecules of a sample of 11 deeply embedded low-mass protostars through unbiased spectral surveys. Studies of individual sources suggest commonality in terms of the abundances of COMs but also differences in, e.g., their isotopic compositions reflecting the conditions in their natal environments. Through the COMPASS program we will address the following key questions

• What are the physical, environmental, and evolutionary regulators of the formation of complex organics?
• Is there a universal outcome of interstellar chemistry in terms of complex organics?
• And ultimately: how much diversity in organic inventories do we expect for planetary systems?