Astrochemistry, Cosmochemistry

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Current Stories and Reports

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General Information

Astrochemistry Examples
… in the classroom - Format: PDF - [e]

Astrochemistry Research
COol or what? Unravelling the mysteries of star formation with laboratory surface science. Article - [e]

Astromolecule of the Month
List ... - [e]

Chemistry of Star Forming Regions
... explains the background behind the problems we are addressing at the Centre, and serves as a useful reference guide to all those who are interested in cosmic chemistry - [e]

Cometary Molecules
Data table. The Cosmic Ice Laboratory, NASA - [e]

Comets I
A Brief History of Comets I. ESO - [e]

Comets II
A Brief History of Comets II. ESO - [e]

In Dust We Trust
An Overview of Observations and Theories of Interstellar Dust. CALTECH - [e]

Interstellar Chemistry
Cosmic radiation, stardust, and streams of atoms from dying stars provide the raw materials for a surprisingly rich chemistry of interstellar clouds. Chemical & Engineering News, 2002 - [e]

Interstellar Graines
Article: "Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics" (IOP Publishing and MacMillan), 1266-1273, 2001. Princeton University - [e]

Interstellar Molecules
Data table. NASA - [e]

Introduction to the Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Lecture Notes - Format: PDF - [e]

Looking for molecules
Article. ESO - [e]

Mars Pathfinder Instrument Descriptions
Imager For Mars Pathfinder (IMP); Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS); APXS Deployment Mechanism; Atmospheric Structure Instrument/Meteorology Package (ASI/MET). NASA - [e]

Molecular Spectroscopy
... contains very specialized technical information. While the general user is welcome to browse its contents, the descriptions assume a knowledge of spectroscopy and quantum mechanics. NASA - [e]

Solar System Ices
Data table. NASA - [e]

The Interstellar Medium
Lecture notes - Format: PDF - [e]

The Next Decade in Astrochemistry
An Astro2010 Science White Paper - Format: PDF - [e]

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Special Information

Galactic Chemical Evolution
A review of the current state-of-the-art semi-analytical and chemodynamical models for the MilkyWay, emphasising the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches. WSU - Format: PDF - [e]

Galactic Chemical Evolution
Stellar and Supernovae Nucleosynthesis And Cosmic Chemical Evolution - Format: PDF - [e]

UV photolysis of quinoline
... in interstellar ice analogs. Article. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 41, Nr 5, 785–796 (2006) - Format: PDF - [e]

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Data and Databases

129 reported interstellar and circumstellar molecules
Molecules are found in interstellar clouds of various sorts. National Radio Astronomy Observatory - [e]

Interstellar Molecular Microwave Transitions
NIST Recommended Rest Frequencies for Observed Interstellar Molecular Microwave Transitions - [e]

Kinetic Database for Astrochemistry
KIDA is a database of kinetic data of interest for astrochemical (interstellar medium and planetary atmospheres) studies. In addition to the available referenced data, KIDA provides recommendations over a number of important reactions - [e]

Molecules in Space
Information on the detection of the respective molecules, including minor isotopic species or molecules in excited vibrational states as well as links to articles - [e]

SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System
... is a Digital Library portal for researchers in Astronomy and Physics, operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) under a NASA grant - [e]

UMIST Database for Astrochemistry
UDFA - [e]

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Journals

Advances in Space Research
... is an open journal covering all areas of space research including: space studies of the Earth's surface, meteorology, climate, the Earth-Moon system, planets and small bodies of the solar system, upper atmospheres, ionospheres and magnetospheres of the Earth and planets including reference atmospheres, space plasmas in the solar system, astrophysics from space, materials sciences in space, life sciences as related to space, fundamental physics in space, space debris, space weather, earth observations of space phenomena, etc. Elsevier - [e]

Astrobiology
... is the leading peer-reviewed journal that explores the secrets of life's origin, evolution, distribution, and destiny in the universe. This multidisciplinary journal covers: astrophysics; astropaleontology, bioastronomy, cosmochemistry, ecogenomics, exobiology, extremophiles, geomicrobiology, gravitational biology, life detection technology, meteoritics, origins of life, planetary geoscience, planetary protection, prebiotic chemistry, space exploration technology, terraforming, and much more. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. - [e]

Earth, Moon, and Planets
An International Journal of Solar System Science, publishes original contributions on subjects ranging from star and planet formation and the origin and evolution of the solar and extra-solar planetary systems, to asteroids, comets, meteoroids and near-Earth objects, including the terrestrial impact hazard and solar system - terrestrial relationships, and related topics. Springer - [e]

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
GCA. publishes research papers in a wide range of subjects in terrestrial geochemistry, meteoritics, and planetary geochemistry. Elsevier - [e]

International Journal of Astrobiology
Astrobiology combines the sciences of biology, chemistry, palaeontology, geology, atmospheric physics, planetary science, astrophysics and cosmology in the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the universe and the future of life both on Earth and beyond. The International Journal of Astrobiology is the forum for practitioners in this exciting interdisciplinary field. Cambridge University Press - [e]

Meteoritics and Planetary Science
The journal publishes research articles describing the latest results of new studies, invited reviews of major topics in planetary science, editorials on issues of current interest in the field. Wiley - [e]

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Dissertations

TOF-SIMS in Cosmochemistry
Dissertation 2004. University of Münster - [e]

Zirconium Isotope Cosmochemistry
Dissertation 2003. ETH Zürich - [e]

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News Archive

Chemical Analysis of a Red Giant Star
Scientists determine for the first time the chemical composition of a type of red giant star with more carbon than oxygen in its atmosphere - [e]

Europa's Hidden Ice Chemistry
About the formation of sulfur oxyanions on Jupiter's moon Europa - [e]

Interstellar Water Synthesis
Hot Water in Cold Comets: An international research team recently succeeded deciphering an important aspect of the way by which water molecules often form in space - [e, d]

Lithium Depletion of the Sun
Exoplanets clue to sun's curious chemistry - [e]

The Largest Known Reservoir of Rare Metals in the Universe
Suzaku spies treasure trove of intergalactic metal. - [e]

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Research facilities and departments

Astrochemistry Lab
... at NASA Ames Research Center - [e]

Köln, Germany
Cosmochemistry Project Group. DMG - [e]

Leiden Molecular Astrophysics and Astrobiology groups
... is composed of people working on various aspects of interstellar molecules (astrophysics, physics, chemistry). The group includes the Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics and is closely linked with the Astrobiology project. - [e]

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Organisations

Astromaterials Curation
Stratospheric Dust. NASA - [e]

CAPTEM
is chartered by the Discipline Scientist for NASA's Cosmochemistry Program to advise on matters concerning the Apollo lunar samples, sample return missions, and solid materials of the solar system - [e]

Meteoritical Society
... is a non-profit scholarly organization founded in 1933 to promote the study of extraterrestrial materials, including meteorites and space mission returned samples, and their history - [e]

The Astrochymist
Resources for Astrochemists and Interested Bystanders - [e]

Other notes:

Related Books and Scientific Literature: Astrochemistry:

Andrew Shaw

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.

It includes latest research and results from ground and space missions colour plate section summary of concepts and calculations at the end of each chapter. This book will be an ideal text for an undergraduate course in Astrochemistry and an essential tool for postgraduates entering the field.

Wiley; 2006