This document provides an introduction and overview of an astrochemistry course. It defines key terms related to astrochemistry including astronomy, chemistry, physics, biology and their intersections. It describes how astrochemistry emerged from the early universe following the formation of the first atoms, and how stars then formed and spread heavier elements through nebulae and supernovae. The course will examine astrochemistry from the early universe to present day, exploring topics in astrophysics, astrochemistry and astrobiology within our solar system and beyond. It will include both traditional coursework and hands-on demonstrations to provide an interactive learning experience.

1. What is Astrochemistry?
Course Introduction

2. A FEW ITEMS BEFORE WE BEGIN
CHEM/EARTH SCI 4059/5059

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. WHAT IS ASTROCHEMISTRY?
CHEM/EARTH SCI 4059/5059

9. “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

10. LET’S START WITH SOME
DEFINITIONS

11. Physics
The science of
matter and energy
and of interactions
between the two
*This is a Venn Diagram

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

13. Physics
Cosmology
Astronomy
the study
of celestial
objectsAstronomy

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

15. Physics
Biology
The science
of life and of
living
organisms
Cosmology
Astronomy
Biology

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

17. Physics
Astrophysics
concerned
with the
physical
nature of
stars and
other
celestial
bodies
Cosmology
Astronomy
Biology
Astrophysics

18. Physics
Astrochemistry
the study of the
abundance and
reactions of
chemical
elements and
molecules in
the universe
Cosmology
Astronomy
Biology
Astrophysics

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

20. Physics
origin,
reactions and
distribution of
chemical
elements and
molecules
important for
life “as we
know it” and
“as we don’t
know it” in the
universe
Cosmology
Astronomy
Biology
Astrobiochemistry
Astrophysics

21. 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

22. What does astrochemistry cover?

23. What does astrochemistry cover?

24. In the beginning there was….
Nothing?

25. Around 13.7
billion years
ago…

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. The pull of gravity
eventually brought the
stars together into
galaxies

31. Around 5 billion years
ago, the fusion reactor
of our sun was lit and
our solar system was
formed.

32. 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?”

33. 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)

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.