title: Spectroscopy of H3+ and its impact on astrophysics.
abstract: Since the original laboratory detection of an H3+ spectrum 20 years ago, the search has been on for astronomical observations of this important and fundamental molecular ion. Successful detection of H3+ in gas-giant planets, supernova ejecta and the interstellar medium as well as the prospects for future observations are discussed. The role H3+ has in determining the atmospheric structure of both the gas giants and cool metal-free planets is explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, UK. j.tennyson@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tennyson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D055580:Astronomical Phenomena; D001256:Astronomy; D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D016083:Planets; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014316:Tritium / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019443:Cosmic Dust; D014316:Tritium