Explore the fundamentals of astrochemistry and astrobiology in this comprehensive lecture from the 2023 Astrobiology Introductory Course, delivered in English by Astrochemist Catherine Walsh. Delve into the chemical composition of solar systems, examining the presence of organic molecules in space and their potential role in the origins of life. Learn about interstellar medium chemistry, macromolecular structures, and the building blocks of life while investigating spectral fingerprints and the periodic table from an astronomical perspective. Examine the life cycle of cosmic dust, gas phase reactions, and the significance of snowlines in protoplanetary disks. Through case studies and historical perspectives, including insights from Carl Sagan, gain interdisciplinary knowledge connecting astronomy, geology, chemistry, and biology to understand the potential for life's distribution throughout the universe.
Organic Chemistry in Solar Systems: From Interstellar Medium to Building Blocks of Life
Société Française d'Exobiologie via YouTube
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
Are we unique
Are we alone
Interstellar Medium
Elements
Macromolecular structures
Building blocks of life
Molecules in space
Spectral fingerprint
Periodic table
Historical perspective
Chemistry in space
Life cycle of dust
Dust screens
In the gas phase
In the interstellar medium
Carl Sagan quote
Case studies
Snowlines
Snowlines in disks
Molecules and disks at high resolution
Taught by
Société Française d'Exobiologie
