Astrochemistry: From Astronomy to Astrobiology (2006)(en)(344s)

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. Astrochemistry......Page 3 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 11 1.1 The Standard Model – Big Bang theory......Page 15 1.2 Galaxies, stars and planets......Page 17 1.3 Origins of life......Page 18 1.4 Other intelligent life......Page 23 1.5 Theories of the origin of life......Page 24 Concepts and calculations......Page 27 2.1 Simple stellar models – black body radiation......Page 29 2.2 2.725 K – cosmic microwave background radiation......Page 34 2.3 Stellar classification......Page 35 2.4 Constellations......Page 40 2.5 Galaxies......Page 45 2.6 Cosmology......Page 50 Concepts and calculations......Page 52 Problems......Page 53 3.1 Spectroscopy and the structure of matter......Page 55 3.2 Line shape......Page 60 3.3 Telescopes......Page 66 3.4 Atomic spectroscopy......Page 70 3.5 Molecular astronomy......Page 73 3.6 Molecular masers......Page 91 3.7 Detection of hydrogen......Page 93 3.8 Diffuse interstellar bands......Page 94 3.9 Spectral mapping......Page 95 Concepts and calculations......Page 96 Problems......Page 97 Introduction......Page 99 4.1 Classes of stars......Page 100 4.2 Herzprung–Russell diagram......Page 102 4.3 Stellar evolution......Page 103 4.4 Stellar spectra......Page 112 4.5 Exotic stars......Page 116 4.6 Cycle of star formation......Page 122 Concepts and calculations......Page 124 Problems......Page 125 Introduction......Page 127 5.1 Mapping clouds of molecules......Page 128 5.2 Molecules in the interstellar and circumstellar medium......Page 131 5.3 Physical conditions in the interstellar medium......Page 134 5.4 Rates of chemical reactions......Page 137 5.5 Chemical reactions in the interstellar medium......Page 144 5.6 Photochemistry......Page 147 5.8 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons......Page 150 5.9 Dust grains......Page 154 5.10 Chemical models of molecular clouds......Page 159 5.11 Prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium......Page 165 Concepts and calculations......Page 168 Problems......Page 169 Introduction......Page 171 6.1 Formation of the solar system......Page 172 6.2 Classification of meteorites......Page 175 6.3 Meteorite mineralogy......Page 176 6.4 Geological time......Page 179 6.5 Chemical analysis of meteorites by μL2MS......Page 182 6.6 The Murchison meteorite – kerogen......Page 185 6.7 Meteorite ALH84001......Page 187 6.9 Structure of a comet......Page 194 6.10 Physicochemical conditions in a cometary coma......Page 195 6.11 Chemical composition of comets......Page 197 6.12 Cometary collisions......Page 199 6.13 The Rosetta mission – origin of the solar system......Page 201 Concepts and Calculations......Page 204 Problems......Page 205 Introduction......Page 207 7.1 Structure of a star–planet system......Page 208 7.2 Surface gravity......Page 209 7.3 Formation of the Earth......Page 211 7.4 Earth–Moon system......Page 213 7.5 Geological periods......Page 214 7.6 Radiative heating......Page 216 7.7 The habitable zone......Page 218 7.8 Extrasolar planets......Page 220 7.9 Planetary atmospheres......Page 223 7.10 Atmospheric photochemistry......Page 229 7.11 Biomarkers in the atmosphere......Page 233 Concepts and calculations......Page 235 Problems......Page 236 8.1 Carbon- and water-based life forms......Page 239 8.2 Spontaneous chemical reactions......Page 241 8.3 Rates of chemical reactions......Page 250 8.4 Endogenous production of organic molecules......Page 251 8.5 Exogenous delivery of organic molecules......Page 259 8.6 Homochirality......Page 260 8.7 Surface Metabolism – ‘clay organisms’......Page 263 8.8 Geothermal Vents – ‘black smokers’......Page 265 8.9 RNA World hypothesis......Page 267 Concepts and calculations......Page 270 Problems......Page 271 Introduction......Page 273 9.1 Self-assembly and encapsulation......Page 275 9.2 Protocells......Page 278 9.3 Universal tree of life......Page 287 9.4 Astrobiology......Page 288 9.5 Microbial Mars......Page 295 Concepts and calculations......Page 297 Problems......Page 298 Introduction......Page 301 10.1 Physical properties......Page 303 10.2 The atmosphere......Page 305 10.3 Temperature-dependent chemistry......Page 308 10.4 Energy balance and the greenhouse effect......Page 310 10.5 Atmospheric chemistry......Page 311 10.6 Astrobiology on Titan......Page 316 Concepts and calculations......Page 319 Problems......Page 320 Glossary of terms and abbreviations......Page 321 Appendix A Constants and units......Page 333 Appendix B – astronomical data......Page 335 Appendix C – thermodynamic properties of selected compounds......Page 337 Answers to problems......Page 339 Bibliography......Page 343 Index......Page 349 Astrochemistry 3 Contents 7 Preface 11 1 The molecular universe 15 Introduction 15 1.1 The Standard Model – Big Bang theory 15 1.2 Galaxies, stars and planets 17 1.3 Origins of life 18 1.4 Other intelligent life 23 1.5 Theories of the origin of life 24 Concepts and calculations 27 2 Starlight, galaxies and clusters 29 Introduction 29 2.1 Simple stellar models – black body radiation 29 2.2 2.725 K – cosmic microwave background radiation 34 2.3 Stellar classification 35 2.4 Constellations 40 2.5 Galaxies 45 2.6 Cosmology 50 Concepts and calculations 52 Problems 53 3 Atomic and molecular astronomy 55 Introduction 55 3.1 Spectroscopy and the structure of matter 55 3.2 Line shape 60 3.3 Telescopes 66 3.4 Atomic spectroscopy 70 3.5 Molecular astronomy 73 3.6 Molecular masers 91 3.7 Detection of hydrogen 93 3.8 Diffuse interstellar bands 94 3.9 Spectral mapping 95 Concepts and calculations 96 Problems 97 4 Stellar chemistry 99 Introduction 99 4.1 Classes of stars 100 4.2 Herzprung–Russell diagram 102 4.3 Stellar evolution 103 4.4 Stellar spectra 112 4.5 Exotic stars 116 4.6 Cycle of star formation 122 Concepts and calculations 124 Problems 125 5 The interstellar medium 127 Introduction 127 5.1 Mapping clouds of molecules 128 5.2 Molecules in the interstellar and circumstellar medium 131 5.3 Physical conditions in the interstellar medium 134 5.4 Rates of chemical reactions 137 5.5 Chemical reactions in the interstellar medium 144 5.6 Photochemistry 147 5.7 Charged particle chemistry 150 5.8 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 150 5.9 Dust grains 154 5.10 Chemical models of molecular clouds 159 5.11 Prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium 165 Concepts and calculations 168 Problems 169 6 Meteorite and comet chemistry 171 Introduction 171 6.1 Formation of the solar system 172 6.2 Classification of meteorites 175 6.3 Meteorite mineralogy 176 6.4 Geological time 179 6.5 Chemical analysis of meteorites by μL2MS 182 6.6 The Murchison meteorite – kerogen 185 6.7 Meteorite ALH84001 187 6.8 Comet chemistry 194 6.9 Structure of a comet 194 6.10 Physicochemical conditions in a cometary coma 195 6.11 Chemical composition of comets 197 6.12 Cometary collisions 199 6.13 The Rosetta mission – origin of the solar system 201 Concepts and Calculations 204 Problems 205 7 Planetary chemistry 207 Introduction 207 7.1 Structure of a star–planet system 208 7.2 Surface gravity 209 7.3 Formation of the Earth 211 7.4 Earth–Moon system 213 7.5 Geological periods 214 7.6 Radiative heating 216 7.7 The habitable zone 218 7.8 Extrasolar planets 220 7.9 Planetary atmospheres 223 7.10 Atmospheric photochemistry 229 7.11 Biomarkers in the atmosphere 233 Concepts and calculations 235 Problems 236 8 Prebiotic chemistry 239 Introduction 239 8.1 Carbon- and water-based life forms 239 8.2 Spontaneous chemical reactions 241 8.3 Rates of chemical reactions 250 8.4 Endogenous production of organic molecules 251 8.5 Exogenous delivery of organic molecules 259 8.6 Homochirality 260 8.7 Surface Metabolism – ‘clay organisms’ 263 8.8 Geothermal Vents – ‘black smokers’ 265 8.9 RNA World hypothesis 267 Concepts and calculations 270 Problems 271 9 Primitive life forms 273 Introduction 273 9.1 Self-assembly and encapsulation 275 9.2 Protocells 278 9.3 Universal tree of life 287 9.4 Astrobiology 288 9.5 Microbial Mars 295 Concepts and calculations 297 Problems 298 10 Titan 301 Introduction 301 10.1 Physical properties 303 10.2 The atmosphere 305 10.3 Temperature-dependent chemistry 308 10.4 Energy balance and the greenhouse effect 310 10.5 Atmospheric chemistry 311 10.6 Astrobiology on Titan 316 Concepts and calculations 319 Problems 320 Glossary of terms and abbreviations 321 Appendix A Constants and units 333 Appendix B – astronomical data 335 Appendix C – thermodynamic properties of selected compounds 337 Answers to problems 339 Bibliography 343 Index 349

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

"Astrochemistry is a basic introduction to the chemistry and physics of atmospheres other than Earth's. It is based on a second year chemistry course and assumes some knowledge of physical and organic chemistry along with some basic physics. Little prior knowledge of biology or astrophysics is assumed. Starting with an introduction to the chemical universe, the text covers stellar, meteorite, comet and planetary chemistry, before covering prebiotic chemistry and life in the solar system. Results from the latest research have been included throughout."--[Source inconnue]