ASTROCHEMISTRY:

CHEMICALS IN
SPACE
Participants – Jyotisai Kar
Harish Narayan
Abhisek Kanungo
Sthitipragyan
Satapathy

Class – XII (A)

Guided By- Dr. Sujata Sahu

Astrochemistry is the study of molecules anywhere in the universe:

–how are they formed

–destroyed
–how complex can they get
–how does molecular composition vary from place to place
–use them as tracer of physical conditions (temperature, density)
Chemical Reactions in Space:
Gas Phase
GAS PHASE
REACTIONS:

H3+: (RECENTLY DISCOVERED)

H2 + CR H2+ + E-
H2+ + H2  H3+ + H
HCO+:
H3+ + CO  HCO+ + H2
H2O:
O + H+  O+ + H
O+ + H2  OH+ + H
OH+ + H2  H2O+ + H
H2O+ + H2  H3O+ + H
H3O+ + E-  H2O + H
Molecular evolution
refers to the chemical
changes and processes
that occur in the
interstellar medium
(ISM) and are
responsible for the
formation of complex
molecules from simpler
ones. The molecular
evolution in the ISM can
be influenced by the
physical conditions of
the medium, such as
whether it is a diffuse or
Molecular
dense environment.
Evolution
 Molecular Evolution

Diffuse Medium Dense Medium

 Definition: A diffuse medium in the interstellar  Definition: A dense medium in the interstellar space
space refers to regions where the gas and dust are refers to regions where the gas and dust are much
spread out thinly, with low densities. more concentrated, leading to higher densities.
 Physical Conditions: In a diffuse medium, the gas  Physical Conditions: In a dense medium, the gas
temperature is relatively low, typically around 10 temperature can be higher, often ranging from 30 to
to 100 Kelvin. 300 Kelvin.
 Molecular Evolution: In such low-density  Molecular Evolution: In dense environments, the

environments, the molecular evolution is relatively higher densities and temperatures facilitate more
slow. Simple molecules like atomic hydrogen (H), rapid chemical reactions. This allows for more
efficient molecule formation and more complex
carbon monoxide (CO), and some simple radicals
chemical pathways.
are more common in diffuse regions.
 Presence of Complex Molecules: In dense regions,
 Presence of Complex Molecules: While there are
complex organic molecules, such as methanol
some complex molecules present, they are (CH3OH), formaldehyde (H2CO), and even larger
generally limited due to the lower densities and species like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
temperatures, which inhibit the formation of larger and amino acids, can be more abundant. The
and more complex molecules. conditions are conducive to the formation of complex
molecular structures through gas-phase and grain-
surface chemistry.
 Molecular Evolution: Hot Cores
A "hot core" refers to a dense and hot region within the interstellar medium (ISM) where complex organic
molecules are formed. The term "hot core" was originally coined to describe a specific type of astronomical
source seen in radio wavelength observations, characterized by the presence of numerous molecular lines
from various organic molecules.
Formation: Hot cores are believed to form during the gravitational collapse of molecular cloud cores, which
leads to the birth of new stars. As a molecular cloud core collapses, it heats up due to compression, and the
central protostar begins to accrete mass from the surrounding material.
Complex Organic Molecules: The combination of high temperatures and densities in hot cores allows for
the efficient formation of complex organic molecules through gas-phase and grain-surface chemistry.
Organic molecules, such as methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), formamide
(NH2CHO), and many others, have been detected in hot cores.
 SUPERNOVAE
Astrochemistry plays a crucial role in
understanding the complex chemical
processes that occur during supernovae.
When a massive star goes through a
supernova explosion, a vast array of
elements and molecules are produced
through various nuclear reactions and
processes. These newly synthesized
elements are then ejected into space,
enriching the interstellar medium with
heavier elements that are crucial for the
formation of new stars, planets, and
ultimately, life.
 Diffuse Medium, Mystery 1:
Formation of Complex Organic Molecules in Low-Density Environments
The diffuse interstellar medium might be expected to hinder the formation of complex molecules. However,
observations have shown the presence of a variety of complex organic molecules even in these tenuous
regions.
Possible Explanations
Gas-Phase Reactions: Gas-phase chemical reactions can lead to the formation of simple molecules, such as
radicals, which can subsequently participate in further reactions to build more complex species. While the
densities in the diffuse medium are low, some reactions might still occur rapidly enough to lead to complex
molecule formation.
Photodissociation and Recombination: Photodissociation of simple molecules can result in fragments
that later recombine to form more complex molecules. While some species may be destroyed by radiation,
others might reform in a cycle of dissociation and recombination.
Shielding by H2: Molecular hydrogen (H2) is the most abundant molecule in the ISM and can act as a
protective shield for some species allowing them to survive longer.
Diffuse Medium Mystery 2:
Abundance of PAHs in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are large, carbon-rich molecules composed of fused aromatic rings.
They are of particular interest in astrochemistry because they are abundant in the ISM and play a crucial role
in various astrophysical processes, such as absorption and emission of infrared radiation and the chemistry of
star-forming regions. However, their abundance and stability in the diffuse ISM remain enigmatic.
Possible Explanations:
PAH Formation via Energetic Processing: PAHs might form through energetic processing of large carbonaceous
molecules, such as polycyclic aromatic molecules with aliphatic side chains. These parent molecules could be broken
down by UV radiation and cosmic rays, leading to the formation of smaller and more stable PAHs.
Destruction-Formation Equilibrium: The diffuse ISM is a dynamic environment with continuous interactions
between energetic photons and molecules. There might exist a balance between the destruction and formation of PAHs.
PAHs as Components of Dust Grains: PAHs might be attached to or embedded within dust grains in the diffuse
medium. These larger dust grains could provide a protective shield, reducing the PAHs' vulnerability to
photodissociation.
Injection from Stellar Sources: PAHs might be injected into the diffuse ISM from stellar sources, such as
asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, which produce copious amounts of carbon-rich material. The injection of PAHs
from these sources could enrich the surrounding medium.
•Interstellar Medium
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Studies
•Understanding Starlight
and Emission Spectra
•Chemical Evolution of
the Universe
•Exoplanet
Characterization
•Prebiotic Chemistry and
Astrobiology

Application of
Astrochemistry
 Astrochemistry in real
life
DO MOLECULES FORMED IN
I N T E R S T E L L A R M E D I U M H AV E A N Y T H I N G
T O D O W I T H F O R M AT I O N O F L I F E ?

C H E M I C A L P R O C E S S E S - O R I G I N O F L I F E
D I S C O V E R Y O F I N T E R S T E L L A R
FORMALDEHYDE
A S T R O C H E M I S T R Y I N C H I R A L I T Y O F
AMINO ACIDS
T H E S E A R C H F O R E X T R AT E R R E S T R I A L
INTELLIGENCE (SETI)
T H E S T U D Y O F E X T R E M O P H I L E S
 Future of Astro chemistry is Bright....

Atacama Large MM Array

Herschel Space Observatory

James Webb Space Telescope