The Chemically Controlled Cosmos : Astronomical Molecules from the Big Bang to Exploding Stars
Editorial Reviews
Review
'There is no doubt that in The Chemically Controlled Cosmos Hartquist and Williams have produced an extremely valuable synthesis of our present knowledge of the important chemical processes in space.' New Scientist 'In this excellent and remarkable book, compressing a dozen learned textbooks into 160 ebullient pages, Hartquist and Williams endeavour to tell how the chemistry and physics of space are intimately entwined, one dictating the other. To achieve this, some fundamental chemistry and physics is outlined in chapters one to three, without using any mathematics. Readers who are unversed in physical science may fail to understand a great deal of this, but persevere, for you may still acquire insight into the way in which chemistry controls the cosmos.' Chemistry in Britain
'How molecules form and emit radiation is a subject that has long been neglected in the popular literature on astronomy. Hartquist and Williams have rectified the situation ... astrochemistry, controlling and revealing the cosmos, is now available to a wide audience.' Stephen Lepp, Nature
' ... a welcome addition to the bookshelves ... You will need patience and concentration because there is so much detail packed into its 160 pages. But if you really want to understand what is out there and why, it's worth it.' Astronomy Now
Book Description
Simple chemistry governs a host of the exotic objects that populate our cosmos. For example, molecules in the early Universe acted as natural temperature regulators, keeping the primordial gas cool and, in turn, allowing galaxies and stars to form. What are the tools of the trade for the cosmic chemist and what can they teach us about the Universe we live in? These are the questions answered in this engaging and informative guide--the first book for nonspecialists on molecular astrophysics. In clear, nontechnical terms, and without formal mathematics, Hartquist and Williams show how to study and understand the behavior of molecules in a host of astronomical situations. Readers will learn about the secretive formation of stars deep within interstellar clouds; the origin of our own solar system; the cataclysmic deaths of many massive stars that explode as supernovae; and the hearts of active galactic nuclei, the most powerful objects in the universe. This book provides an accessible introduction to a wealth of astrophysics, and an understanding of how cosmic chemistry allows the investigation of many of the most exciting questions concerning astronomy today.
The Chemically Controlled Cosmos: Astronomical Molecules from the Big Bang to Exploding Stars,T. W. Hartquist,D. A. Williams,Cambridge University Press,0521419832,Astronomy - General,Cosmochemistry,Molecules,Science,Science/Mathematics,Cosmology & the universe,Science / Astronomy,Science: General Issues
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