2006/08/07 by William Klemperèr · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Chemistry · #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure #Atomic and Molecular Physics #Astrochemistry #Galaxy #Astrobiology #Chemical physics #Astrophysics #Interstellar cloud #Universe #Molecular cloud #Chemistry #Interstellar medium #Physics #Stars
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.0605352103
openalex publication_date 2006/08/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
In the past half century, radioastronomy has changed our perception and understanding of the universe. In this issue of PNAS, the molecular chemistry directly observed within the galaxy is discussed. For the most part, the description of the molecular transformations requires specific kinetic schemes rather than chemical thermodynamics. Ionization of the very abundant molecular hydrogen and atomic helium followed by their secondary reactions is discussed. The rich variety of organic species observed is a challenge for complete understanding. The role and nature of reactions involving grain surfaces as well as new spectroscopic observations of interstellar and circumstellar regions are topics presented in this special feature.