Astrochemistry: The Physical Chemistry of the Universe 2E

A fully revised new edition of an introductory text to the dynamic and fascinating subject of astrochemistry Since the first edition in 2006 of Astrochemistry, the Mars rovers have driven 31.18 miles, there has been fly-by of Pluto changing it from a 4-pixel world on the Hubble Space Telescope into a mysterious non-planet. There have been visits to asteroids, revisiting Mercury, discovery of the Higgs Boson, discovery of over 2000 extrasolar planets and landing on the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by Rosetta mission – hence the timely publication of this new edition. This core textbook now includes more detailed information on the kinetic modelling of chemistry in the interstellar medium, extending the same principles of physical chemistry to meteor ablation and finally atmospheres and oceans. The increase in density from near-emptiness to 1.35 × 1021 L of water in the world’s oceans is used to take single collision kinetics into ensemble thermodynamics. A new introduction of thermodynamic using meteor ablation replaces traditional bomb calorimetry and per-biotic chemistry leads to spontaneous reactions. New to the second edition: An extended discussion on matter, dark or otherwise, interstellar and stellar chemistry and the origin of pre-biotic molecules Detailed chemical kinetic models for mechanisms of chemistry in the interstellar medium Origins of life in solution, enzyme kinetics and catalysis A review of Mars and Titan as habitats for life Fully referenced throughout to reflect the research frontier An introduction to the idea of analytical mathematical engines that can do all of the heavy mathematics and fostering the skill of setting up a model and testing it 200 problems with detailed solutions Written for undergraduate and postgraduate students in astrochemistry or more generally physical chemistry, the new edition of Astrochemistry is an important introductory text to the topic, the latest developments in the field and the ubiquity of physical chemistry. Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface to the First Edition Preface to the Second Edition About the Companion Website Chapter 1 The Molecular Universe 1.1 The Standard Model – Big Bang Theory 1.2 Galaxies, Stars, and Planets 1.3 Origins of Life 1.4 Other Intelligent Life 1.5 Theories of the Origin of Life 1.6 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Problems References Chapter 2 Starlight, Galaxies, and Clusters 2.1 Simple Stellar Models – Black‐Body Radiation 2.2 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: 2.725 K 2.3 Stellar Classification 2.4 Constellations 2.5 Galaxies 2.6 Cosmology Problems References Chapter 3 Atomic and Molecular Astronomy 3.1 Spectroscopy and the Structure of Matter 3.2 Line Shape 3.3 Telescopes 3.4 Atomic Spectroscopy 3.5 Molecular Astronomy 3.6 Molecular Masers 3.7 Detection of Hydrogen 3.8 Diffuse Interstellar Bands 3.9 Spectral Mapping Problems References Chapter 4 Stellar Chemistry 4.1 Classes of Stars 4.2 Herzprung–Russell Diagram 4.3 Stellar Evolution 4.4 Stellar Spectra 4.5 Exotic Stars 4.6 Cycle of Star Formation Problems References Chapter 5 The Interstellar Medium 5.1 Mapping Clouds of Molecules 5.2 Molecules in the Interstellar and Circumstellar Medium 5.3 Physical Conditions in the Interstellar Medium 5.4 Rates of Chemical Reactions 5.5 Chemical Reactions in the Interstellar Medium 5.6 Photochemistry 5.7 Charged Particle Chemistry 5.8 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 5.9 Dust Grains 5.10 Chemical Models of Molecular Clouds 5.11 Running the Models 5.12 Prebiotic Molecules in the Interstellar Medium Problems References Chapter 6 Meteorite and Comet Chemistry 6.1 Phases of Matter, Heat, and Change 6.2 Meteor Ablation 6.3 Enthalpy of Reaction 6.4 Formation of the Solar System 6.5 Classification of Meteorites 6.6 Geological Time 6.7 Chemical Analysis of Meteorites by μL2MS 6.8 Comet Chemistry 6.9 Chemical Composition of Comets 6.10 Cometary Collisions with Planets 6.11 The Rosetta Mission Problems References Chapter 7 Planetary Chemistry 7.1 Structure of a Star–Planet System 7.2 Surface Gravity 7.3 Formation of the Earth 7.4 Earth–Moon System 7.5 Geological Periods 7.6 Radiative Heating 7.7 The Habitable Zone 7.8 Detecting Extrasolar Planets 7.9 Extrasolar Planets – The Current Inventory 7.10 Planetary Atmospheres 7.11 Atmospheric Photochemistry 7.12 Biomarkers in the Atmosphere Problems References Chapter 8 Prebiotic Chemistry 8.1 Carbon‐ and Water‐Based Life Forms 8.2 Solvent Properties 8.3 Spontaneous Chemical Reactions 8.4 Acid–Base Buffers 8.5 Prebiotic Molecular Inventory 8.6 Exogenous Delivery of Organic Molecules 8.7 Homochirality 8.8 Surface Metabolism 8.9 Geothermal Vents 8.10 RNA World Hypothesis Problems References Chapter 9 Primitive Life Forms 9.1 Self‐Assembly and Encapsulation 9.2 Protocells 9.3 Enzyme Catalysis 9.4 Universal Tree of Life 9.5 Astrobiology 9.6 Subsurface Antarctic Lakes – Astrobiological Time Capsules Problems References Chapter 10 Mars and Titan – Habitats for Life? 10.1 Solar System Habitats 10.2 Biosignatures 10.3 Contamination 10.4 Mars 10.5 Titan 10.6 Physical‐Chemical Properties and the Radiation Budget 10.7 Temperature‐Dependent Chemistry 10.8 The Atmospheres 10.9 Astrobiology on Mars and Titan 10.10 And Finally Problems References Appendix A Constants and Units Appendix B Astronomical Data Appendix C Thermodynamic Properties of Selected Compounds Solutions to Problems Index EULA "There are many reasons to update a textbook, the most important of which is that it gets out of date and at its core it should be research-led. Astrochemistry and Astrobiology have advanced significantly as fields driven by some truly remarkable planetary exploration science and astronomy. The Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturnian moon Titan, hinted at in the first edition, sent data with extraordinary detail that I could not resist an extended review of this hydrocarbon world. Similarly, the Mars rovers have now explored 31.81 miles on the Martian surface (Spirit 4.80 miles and Opportunity 27.04 miles) at a sedate 12 miles per hour digging up some interesting finds and consequences. We have also flown by Pluto for the first time with the closest approach on July 14th 2015 - changing Pluto from a 4 pixel-world on the Hubble Space Telescope to a mysterious non-planet. Visits to asteroids, revisiting Mercury, the discovery of the Higgs boson, landing on a comet, the increased energy of the Large Hadron Collider, dark matter, Martian meteorites - a massively impressive list that is a tribute to human endeavour and raw curiosity. It's important to track down these stories and I have now referenced them throughout the book; not exhaustive of course" 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.