This book draws on fundamental physics and chemistry to furnish an overview of the exotic and complex chemistry occurring in star-forming clouds. It describes chemical evolution from interstellar clouds to planetary systems.

This important book describes the basic principles of astrochemistryan interdisciplinary field combining astronomy, physics, and chemistrywith particular emphasis on its physical and chemical background. Chemical processes in diffuse clouds, dense quiescent molecular clouds, star-forming regions, and protoplanetary disks are discussed. A brief introduction to molecular spectroscopy and observational techniques is also presented. These contents provide astronomers with a comprehensive understanding of how interstellar matter is evolved and brought into stars and planets, which is ultimately related to the origin of the solar system. The subject matter will also be understandable and useful for physical chemists who are interested in exotic chemical processes occurring in extreme physical conditions. The book is a valuable resource for all researchers beginning at the graduate level.

Autorentext
Satoshi Yamamoto, Professor
Division of Physics
The University of Tokyo

-ALMA Annual External Review Committee
-Stealing Committee for National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
-SOC Chair for International Symposium 30 years of Nobeyama Radio Observatory

Inhalt

Introduction.- Derivation of Molecular Abundances.- Basic Concepts for Gas-Phase Chemical Reactions.- Chemistry of Diffuse Clouds.- Chemistry of Molecular Clouds I: Gas-Phase Processes.- Chemistry of Molecular Clouds II: Gas-Grain Processes.- Chemistry of Star-Forming Regions.- Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks.- Chemical Evolution from Interstellar Clouds to Star- and Planet-Forming Regions.- Appendix 1: Rotational Spectra of Molecules.- Appendix 2: Observational Techniques.- Solution to Problems.