What is Astrochemistry?

Course Introduction
CHEM/EARTH SCI 4059/5059

A FEW ITEMS BEFORE WE BEGIN

 Course Goal
• The goal of this course is to expose you, the
student, to the interdisciplinary field that is
Astrochemistry.
• You can expect to see topics that include, but
are not limited to
– Astronomy
– Biology
– Chemistry
– Earth and Planetary Science
– Physics
 Disclaimer
• While this course is not a math course, many
of the topics included are best described using
mathematical formulas.
– To that end, a few of the lesson will have
significant mathematical portions.
– I have attempted to keep most of the math to an
algebra-based level, but some knowledge of
logarithms and exponentials is also required.
 Reference Material
• In order to keep course
costs low, there is no
required book for this
course.
• For those wishing to
learn more, I have
provided a list of
suggested references in
a separate document
 Note to Educators
• I have attempted to create a course that current
and future educators can pull information from for
their classes.
• Where appropriate, this includes details on how to
build and carry out various classroom
demonstrations.
• I am not liable for any complications that may arise
when recreating demonstrations, but urge anyone
attempting to recreate the demonstrations seen in
this course to review the safety materials with each
demonstration.
 Note to Educators (cont.)
• While this course is my intellectual property, all
non-copyrighted material may be downloaded
and adapted for individual classroom and non-
profit use unless noted otherwise.
• Rights for the use of copyrighted material
should be obtained from the original creators.
CHEM/EARTH SCI 4059/5059

WHAT IS ASTROCHEMISTRY?
“Hey. Do you mind if I tell you a story? One you might not have heard.
All the elements in your body were forged many many millions of
years ago in the heart of a faraway star that exploded and died. That
explosion scattered those elements across the desolations of deep
space. After so, so many millions of years, these elements came
together to form new stars and new planets. And on and on it went.
The elements came together and burst apart, forming shoes and ships
and sealing wax and cabbages and kings. Until, eventually, they came
together to make you. You are unique in the universe.” -Doctor Who
LET’S START WITH SOME
DEFINITIONS
 Physics
The science of
matter and energy
and of interactions
between the two

*This is a Venn Diagram

 Physics

Cosmology
The science of
the origin and
development
of the universe
 Physics

Cosmology
Astronomy
the study
of celestial
Astronomy objects
 Physics Chemistry
The science
of the
Cosmology composition,
structure,
properties,
Astronomy and reactions
of matter.

Chemistry
 Physics
Biology
Cosmology The science
of life and of
living
Astronomy organisms

Biology
 Physics
Biochemistry
Cosmology study of
chemical
processes
Astronomy within and
relating to,
living
organisms

Biology
 Physics
Astrophysics
Cosmology concerned
with the
physical
Astronomy nature of
stars and
Astrophysics
other
celestial
bodies
Biology
 Physics
Astrochemistry
the study of the
Cosmology abundance and
reactions of
chemical
Astronomy elements and
Astrophysics
molecules in
the universe

Biology
 Physics
Astrobiology
Cosmology origin,
evolution,
distribution,
and future of
Astronomy life in the
Astrophysics universe

Biology
 Physics
Astrobiochemistry
origin,
Cosmology reactions and
distribution of
chemical
elements and
Astronomy molecules
Astrophysics important for
life “as we
know it” and
“as we don’t
Biology know it” in the
universe
 Clarification
• Astrobiology, Astrochemistry, and Astrobiochemistry are
often used interchangeably, so be aware of this when
going through the material in the course.

• All these fields are “applied”

versions of Astrophysics
What does astrochemistry cover?
What does astrochemistry cover?
In the beginning there was….

Nothing?
Around 13.7
billion years
ago…
For approximately 380
to 400 thousand years,
the universe
expanded, at some
points faster then the
speed of light. During
this Inflation period,
the universe was
dominated by
subatomic particles.
By ~400,000 years the
universe had sufficiently
cooled that the hydrogen
and helium nuclei could
trap and hold on to
electrons, creating the first
atoms.

At this time light decouples

from matter making the
universe transparent.

The afterglow of this event

is observed today as the
Cosmic Microwave
Background and marks the
beginning of
astrochemistry
For hundreds of
millions of years, the
universe was dark as
hydrogen and the
other elements were
pulled together by
gravity.

When sufficient mass

had accumulated, the
first stars shown with
the ignition of stellar
fusion.
Many of these early
stars exploded as
super nova, spreading
the heavier elements
throughout the
universe as interstellar
dust clouds and
nebula that eventually
formed new stars and
eventually planets.
The pull of gravity
eventually brought the
stars together into
galaxies
Around 5 billion years
ago, the fusion reactor
of our sun was lit and
our solar system was
formed.
Eventually, life began on
Earth and developed to
the point that it could
look out into the
universe and ask the big
questions.

“Who am I?”
“Why am I here?”
“Is there life out
there?”
“What’s for lunch?”
 In this course, we will examine astrochemistry from the
birth of atoms to present day (the past 13.4 billion years). In
our exploration we will visit the disciplines of astrophysics,
astrobiology, and planetary science.

Physics/Astrophysics (13.7 billion years)

Astrochemistry (13.4 billion years)

Astrobiology (5? billion years)

 Structure of the Course
• Unit 1: Let there be light
– Exploring the infant universe from the first atoms, to
the fusion furnaces of stars.
• Unit 2: Into the Void
– Exploring the chemistry between the stars, super cold,
super slow, but still facinating
• Unit 3: Bigger, Better, Older
– A look at planet formation and detecting planets
around other stars
• Unit 4: The Search for Terra Firma
– Chemistry and astrobiology in our own solar system.
 Upcoming course highlights
• In addition to traditional coursework
– you will learn how to setup and do astrochemistry
demonstrations using simple, inexpensive
materials
– Live guest e-lectures from NASA scientists
Thursdays from 3-4 pm on adobe connect.
 Hold on tight
This is going to be a whirlwind adventure. I
may or may not change the way you think
about the universe, but this class is
guaranteed to be a unique trip through
space and time.