Astrochemistry From Astronomy to Astrobiology

The dynamic field of astrochemistry brings together ideas of physics, astrophysics, biology and chemistry to the study of molecules between stars, around stars and on planets. Astrochemistry: from Astronomy to Astrobiology provides a clear and concise introduction to this rapidly evolving multidisciplinary subject. Starting with the Molecular Universe, the text covers the formation of the elements, simple models of stars and their classification. It then moves on to draw on the theme of the Origins of Life to study interstellar chemistry, meteorite and comet chemistry as well as the chemistry of planets. Prebiotic chemistry and astrobiology are explored by examining the extremes of the biosphere on Earth, seeing how this may be applied to life in other solar systems. Astrochemsitry assumes a basic familiarity with principles of physical and organic chemistry but no prior knowledge of biology or astrophysics. This innovative text incorporates results from the latest research and ground and space missions, with key images enhanced by a colour plate section. includes latest research and results from ground and space missions colour plate section summary of concepts and calculations at the end of each chapter accompanying website www.wiley.co/go/shawastrochemistry This book will be an ideal text for an undergraduate course in Astrochemistry and an essential tool for postgraduates entering the field.

Andrew M. Shaw, University of Exeter, UK.

Preface	p. ix
The molecular universe	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
The Standard Model - Big Bang theory	p. 1
Galaxies, stars and planets	p. 3
Origins of life	p. 4
Other intelligent life	p. 9
Theories of the origin of life	p. 10
Concepts and calculations	p. 13
Starlight, galaxies and clusters	p. 15
Introduction	p. 15
Simple stellar models - black body radiation	p. 15
2.725 K - cosmic microwave background radiation	p. 20
Stellar classification	p. 21
Constellations	p. 26
Galaxies	p. 31
Cosmology	p. 36
Concepts and calculations	p. 38
Problems	p. 39
Atomic and molecular astronomy	p. 41
Introduction	p. 41
Spectroscopy and the structure of matter	p. 41
Line shape	p. 46
Telescopes	p. 52
Atomic spectroscopy	p. 56
Molecular astronomy	p. 59
Molecular masers	p. 77
Detection of hydrogen	p. 79
Diffuse interstellar bands	p. 80
Spectral mapping	p. 81
Concepts and calculations	p. 82
Problems	p. 83
Stellar chemistry	p. 85
Introduction	p. 85
Classes of stars	p. 86
Herzprung-Russell diagram	p. 88
Stellar evolution	p. 89
Stellar spectra	p. 98
Exotic stars	p. 102
Cycle of star formation	p. 108
Concepts and calculations	p. 110
Problems	p. 111
The interstellar medium	p. 113
Introduction	p. 113
Mapping clouds of molecules	p. 114
Molecules in the interstellar and circumstellar medium	p. 117
Physical conditions in the interstellar medium	p. 120
Rates of chemical reactions	p. 123
Chemical reactions in the interstellar medium	p. 130
Photochemistry	p. 133
Charged particle chemistry	p. 136
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons	p. 136
Dust grains	p. 140
Chemical models of molecular clouds	p. 145
Prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium	p. 151
Concepts and calculations	p. 154
Problems	p. 155
Meteorite and comet chemistry	p. 157
Introduction	p. 157
Formation of the solar system	p. 158
Classification of meteorites	p. 161
Meteorite mineralogy	p. 162
Geological time	p. 165
Chemical analysis of meteorites by [mu]L[superscript 2]MS	p. 168
The Murchison meteorite - kerogen	p. 171
Meteorite ALH84001	p. 173
Comet chemistry	p. 180
Structure of a comet	p. 180
Physicochemical conditions in a cometary coma	p. 181
Chemical composition of comets	p. 183
Cometary collisions	p. 185
The Rosetta mission - origin of the solar system	p. 187
Concepts and Calculations	p. 190
Problems	p. 191
Planetary chemistry	p. 193
Introduction	p. 193
Structure of a star-planet system	p. 194
Surface gravity	p. 195
Formation of the Earth	p. 197
Earth-Moon system	p. 199
Geological periods	p. 200
Radiative heating	p. 202
The habitable zone	p. 204
Extrasolar planets	p. 206
Planetary atmospheres	p. 209
Atmospheric photochemistry	p. 215
Biomarkers in the atmosphere	p. 219
Concepts and calculations	p. 221
Problems	p. 222
Prebiotic chemistry	p. 225
Introduction	p. 225
Carbon- and water-based life forms	p. 225
Spontaneous chemical reactions	p. 227
Rates of chemical reactions	p. 236
Endogenous production of organic molecules	p. 237
Exogenous delivery of organic molecules	p. 245
Homochirality	p. 246
Surface Metabolism - 'clay organisms'	p. 249
Geothermal Vents - 'black smokers'	p. 251
RNA World hypothesis	p. 253
Concepts and calculations	p. 256
Problems	p. 257
Primitive life forms	p. 259
Introduction	p. 259
Self-assembly and encapsulation	p. 261
Protocells	p. 264
Universal tree of life	p. 273
Astrobiology	p. 274
Microbial Mars	p. 281
Concepts and calculations	p. 283
Problems	p. 284
Titan	p. 287
Introduction	p. 287
Physical properties	p. 289
The atmosphere	p. 291
Temperature-dependent chemistry	p. 294
Energy balance and the greenhouse effect	p. 296
Atmospheric chemistry	p. 297
Astrobiology on Titan	p. 302
Concepts and calculations	p. 305
Problems	p. 306
Glossary of terms and abbreviations	p. 307
Constants and units	p. 319
Astronomical data	p. 321
Thermodynamic properties of selected compounds	p. 323
Answers to problems	p. 325
Bibliography	p. 329
Index	p. 335
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Astrochemistry From Astronomy to Astrobiology

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