The evolution of organic matter in space

The life cycle of dust is characterised by a constant evolution, from the moment it forms in the last phases of stellar evolution, and throughout its journey in the interstellar medium (ISM) to its inclusion in planet formation.

The past decades witnessed the detection of a rich organic inventory produced by carbon stars (including PAHs and fullerenes), and revealed a turbulent ISM where dust is processed. What is the origin of this tremendous organic diversity? What are the key physical processes in the evolution of dust? 

The answers to these questions underpin our understanding of the physical properties of the local Universe, and define the chemical pathways leading to the formation of the dust and complex organic molecules that can be incorporated into planetary systems.  With its capabilities, JWST is ideally placed to revolutionise our understanding of organic chemistry in circumstellar and interstellar media.

In this talk I will review past Spitzer and Herschel programs I have been involved in this area in the past, focusing more in the circumstellar studies, and describe the opportunities that JWST will provide in this field.