Astrochemistry: From Astronomy to Astrobiology

Astrochemistry: From Astronomy to Astrobiology 

Book Description 

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.

• includes latest research and results from ground and space missions
• colour plate section
• summary of concepts and calculations at the end of each chapter
• accompanying website www.wiley.co/go/shawastrochemistry

This book will be an ideal text for an undergraduate course in Astrochemistry and an essential tool for postgraduates entering the field.  

From the Back Cover 

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.

• includes latest research and results from ground and space missions
• colour plate section
• summary of concepts and calculations at the end of each chapter
• accompanying website www.wiley.co/go/shawastrochemistry
• this book will be an ideal text for an undergraduate course in Astrochemistry and an essential tool for postgraduates entering the field  

ambitious attempt, November 19, 2006

This book makes that ambitious attempt to cover a very large and diverse field. The author is clearly very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. There is a great deal of interest in this book, too. That said, there are numerous typos (e.g., a table showing the composition of the atmospheres of the inner planets has a blank column for oxygen; incorrect table citations in the text; tables and figures that do not entirely agree with the description of them in the text; errors in the formulas presented, etc). Further, the author covers some technical topics very briefly, making it hard to follow if you are using this text as your first introduction to the field. So, if you want to use this book as your introduction to the field, this book will have some interesting information for you, but may not be as helpful as more introductory books.