Astrochemistry
Learn about the chemistry of the cosmos and the chemistry of extraterrestrial life. These are resources for astrochemistry, including research groups, degree programs, lecture notes, conferences, and databases. Exobiology as it relates to chemistry is also included.
Elements in the Sun
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
Searching for Extraterrestrial Life
There's some serious chemistry involved in the search for life on other planets (or gas clouds or asteroids or comets). However, other disciplines come into play as well, such as robotics, aeronautics, biology, geology, and economics. Here's an overview of how we search for ETs.
There's some serious chemistry involved in the search for life on other planets (or gas clouds or asteroids or comets). However, other disciplines come into play as well, such as robotics, aeronautics, biology, geology, and economics. Here's an overview of how we search for ETs.
Spiders in Space
Columbia's STS-107 carried Australia's first animals into space. Learn about the Columbia spider experiment and the Skylab 3 experiment and visit links to ground-based research and space exploration.
Columbia's STS-107 carried Australia's first animals into space. Learn about the Columbia spider experiment and the Skylab 3 experiment and visit links to ground-based research and space exploration.
Astrochemistry - The Astrobiology Web
This site has annotated links for general astrochemistry information, book reviews, and a list of astrochemistry research agencies.
This site has annotated links for general astrochemistry information, book reviews, and a list of astrochemistry research agencies.
Astrochemistry Branch
Identifying chemicals in asteroids, comets, and planetary atmospheres. From Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.
Identifying chemicals in asteroids, comets, and planetary atmospheres. From Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.
Astrochemistry Laboratory
Analysis of extraterrestrial materials. From the Space Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, NASA.
Analysis of extraterrestrial materials. From the Space Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, NASA.
Astrochemistry of Life
These are details of the multidisciplinary Astrochemistry of Life seminar at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2001 Annual Conference. Authors and titles of presentations are provided.
These are details of the multidisciplinary Astrochemistry of Life seminar at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2001 Annual Conference. Authors and titles of presentations are provided.
Astrochemistry: Carbon in the Universe
This Science-Week Focus Report is an excerpy from an original full-text email publication. A summary and text notes are provided.
This Science-Week Focus Report is an excerpy from an original full-text email publication. A summary and text notes are provided.
Carbon in the Universe
Interstellar abundance of this element. From Th. Henning and F. Salama, Science magazine.
Interstellar abundance of this element. From Th. Henning and F. Salama, Science magazine.
Cosmic Ancestry
Evolution and origin of life on Earth beginning with space-borne particles. From Brig Klyce.
Evolution and origin of life on Earth beginning with space-borne particles. From Brig Klyce.
Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Indications of the existence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in space. From Theodore P. Snow, University of Colorado.
Indications of the existence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in space. From Theodore P. Snow, University of Colorado.
Dusty Plasma Laboratory
Space dust immersed in plasmas of charged and uncharged particles. From Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA.
Space dust immersed in plasmas of charged and uncharged particles. From Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA.
Ex astra: Life from the Stars
Michael Meyer's article on instellar organic chemistry discusses the requirements and search for extraterrestrial life. A list of recommended links and books is also provided.
Michael Meyer's article on instellar organic chemistry discusses the requirements and search for extraterrestrial life. A list of recommended links and books is also provided.
Goddard Space Flight Center - Astrochemistry Branch
This site lists Goddard's research areas, activities, organizational structure, public outreach programs, and contact information.
This site lists Goddard's research areas, activities, organizational structure, public outreach programs, and contact information.
Interstellar and Circumstellar Molecules
One hundred and eighteen compounds discovered in interstellar clouds and in comets. From Al Wootten, National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
One hundred and eighteen compounds discovered in interstellar clouds and in comets. From Al Wootten, National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Leiden Observatory: Molecular Astrophysics
This site describes the research projects of the Molecular Astrophysics group in Leiden and the Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics. There are also links to additional astrophysics resources.
This site describes the research projects of the Molecular Astrophysics group in Leiden and the Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics. There are also links to additional astrophysics resources.
Making the Smallest Molecule on Star Dust
Formation of molecular hydrogen in space. From Gianfranco Vidali, Syracuse University.
Formation of molecular hydrogen in space. From Gianfranco Vidali, Syracuse University.
Nitrogen Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium
Identification of novel chemical compounds in star-forming regions. From Douglas McGonagle, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Identification of novel chemical compounds in star-forming regions. From Douglas McGonagle, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Spectroscopy of Interstellar PAHs
Evidence for complex carbon molecules in space. From Farid Salama, NASA.
Evidence for complex carbon molecules in space. From Farid Salama, NASA.
Stardust
Continuing updates from NASA's mission to capture interstellar dust and comet samples.
Continuing updates from NASA's mission to capture interstellar dust and comet samples.
Structure of Giant Molecular Cloud Cores
Processes occurring during star formation. From Edwin A. Bergin, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Processes occurring during star formation. From Edwin A. Bergin, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.