Astrochemistry

Preface to the First Edition ix

Preface to the Second Edition xiii

About the Companion Website xvii

1 The Molecular Universe 1

1.1 The Standard Model - Big Bang Theory 2

1.2 Galaxies, Stars, and Planets 5

1.3 Origins of Life 6

1.4 Other Intelligent Life 11

1.5 Theories of the Origin of Life 13

1.6 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) 15

Problems 16

References 16

2 Starlight, Galaxies, and Clusters 19

2.1 Simple Stellar Models - Black-Body Radiation 19

2.2 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: 2.725 K 25

2.3 Stellar Classification 27

2.4 Constellations 35

2.5 Galaxies 40

2.6 Cosmology 46

Problems 48

References 51

3 Atomic and Molecular Astronomy 53

3.1 Spectroscopy and the Structure of Matter 53

3.2 Line Shape 59

3.3 Telescopes 65

3.4 Atomic Spectroscopy 74

3.5 Molecular Astronomy 78

3.6 Molecular Masers 97

3.7 Detection of Hydrogen 99

3.8 Diffuse Interstellar Bands 100

3.9 Spectral Mapping 102

Problems 103

References 106

4 Stellar Chemistry 109

4.1 Classes of Stars 111

4.2 Herzprung-Russell Diagram 112

4.3 Stellar Evolution 113

4.4 Stellar Spectra 123

4.5 Exotic Stars 131

4.6 Cycle of Star Formation 138

Problems 139

References 142

5 The Interstellar Medium 145

5.1 Mapping Clouds of Molecules 146

5.2 Molecules in the Interstellar and Circumstellar Medium 152

5.3 Physical Conditions in the Interstellar Medium 156

5.4 Rates of Chemical Reactions 160

5.5 Chemical Reactions in the Interstellar Medium 170

5.6 Photochemistry 173

5.7 Charged Particle Chemistry 176

5.8 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 176

5.9 Dust Grains 180

5.10 Chemical Models of Molecular Clouds 185

5.11 Running the Models 192

5.12 Prebiotic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium 194

Problems 199

References 204

6 Meteorite and Comet Chemistry 207

6.1 Phases of Matter, Heat, and Change 208

6.2 Meteor Ablation 213

6.3 Enthalpy of Reaction 219

6.4 Formation of the Solar System 223

6.5 Classification of Meteorites 226

6.6 Geological Time 231

6.7 Chemical Analysis of Meteorites by ¿¿¿¿L²MS 235

6.8 Comet Chemistry 247

6.9 Chemical Composition of Comets 252

6.10 Cometary Collisions with Planets 257

6.11 The Rosetta Mission 259

Problems 263

References 270

7 Planetary Chemistry 275

7.1 Structure of a Star-Planet System 276

7.2 Surface Gravity 278

7.3 Formation of the Earth 280

7.4 Earth-Moon System 283

7.5 Geological Periods 285

7.6 Radiative Heating 287

7.7 The Habitable Zone 289

7.8 Detecting Extrasolar Planets 291

7.9 Extrasolar Planets - The Current Inventory 293

7.10 Planetary Atmospheres 295

7.11 Atmospheric Photochemistry 304

7.12 Biomarkers in the Atmosphere 310

Problems 311

References 317

8 Prebiotic Chemistry 319

8.1 Carbon- and Water-Based Life Forms 319

8.2 Solvent Properties 320

8.3 Spontaneous Chemical Reactions 321

8.4 Acid-Base Buffers 332

8.5 Prebiotic Molecular Inventory 335

8.6 Exogenous Delivery of Organic Molecules 345

8.7 Homochirality 346

8.8 Surface Metabolism 350

8.9 Geothermal Vents 353

8.10 RNA World Hypothesis 356

Problems 358

References 362

9 Primitive Life Forms 365

9.1 Self-Assembly and Encapsulation 366

9.2 Protocells 370

9.3 Enzyme Catalysis 379

9.4 Universal Tree of Life 380

9.5 Astrobiology 383

9.6 Subsurface Antarctic Lakes - Astrobiological Time Capsules 390

Problems 391

References 396

10 Mars and Titan - Habitats for Life? 399

10.1 Solar System Habitats 399

10.2 Biosignatures 400

10.3 Contamination 404

10.4 Mars 405

10.5 Titan 408

10.6 Physical-Chemical Properties and the Radiation Budget 409

10.7 Temperature-Dependent Chemistry 414

10.8 The Atmospheres 416

10.9 Astrobiology on Mars and Titan 427

10.10 And Finally 430

Problems 430

References 437

Appendix A: Constants and Units 441

Appendix B: Astronomical Data 443

Appendix C: Thermodynamic Properties of Selected Compounds 445

Solutions to Problems 447

Index 475