The Molecular Astrophysics of Stars and Galaxies

This book provides a comprehensive survey of modern molecular astrophysics. It gives an introduction to molecular spectroscopy and then addresses the main areas of current molecular astrophysics, including galaxy formation, star forming regions, mass loss from young as well as highly evolved stars and supernovae, starburst galaxies plus the tori and discs near the central engines of active galactic nuclei. With chapters written by leading experts, the book is unique in giving a detailed view of this wide-ranging subject. It will provide the standard introduction for research students in molecular astrophysics; it will also enable chemists to learn the astrophysics most related to chemistry as well as instruct physicists about the molecular processes most important in astronomy.

This book provides a comprehensive survey of modern molecular astrophysics. It includes an introduction to molecular spectroscopy and then addresses the main areas of current molecular astrophysics, including galaxy formation, star forming regions, mass loss from young as well as highly evolved stars and supernovae, starburst galaxies plus the tori and discs near the central engines of active galactic nuclei. All chapters have been written by invited authors who are acknowledged experts in their fields. The thorough editorial process has ensured a uniformly high standard of exposition and a coherent style. The book is unique in giving a detailed view of its wide-ranging subject. It will provide the standard introduction for research students in molecular astrophysics. The book will be read by research astronomers and astrophysicists who wish to broaden the basis of their knowledge or are moving their activities into this burgeoning field. It will enable chemists to learn the astrophysics most related to chemistry as well as instruct physicists about the molecular processes most important in astronomy.

1 - The basics of the structures and spectra of simple molecules
2 - Molecular formation in dust-poor environments
3 - Molecules in the early universe and primordial structure formation
4 - The chemistry of diffuse and dark interstellar clouds
5 - The chemistry of star forming regions
6 - The magnetohydrodynamics of outflows from low-mass young stellar objects
7 - Chemistry in the winds of young stellar objects
8 - Shock chemistry
9 - Photon-dominated regions
10 - Molecular hydrogen emission from Herbig-Haro objects
11 - Introduction to stellar evolution
12 - Dust formation in carbon-rich AGB stars
13 - Dust formation in M stars
14 - Models of circumstellar masers
15 - Molecular synthesis in the external envelopes of AGB stars
16 - The chemistry of planetary nebula formation
17 - Dust formation in the environment of hot stars
18 - Dust formation in novae
19 - Supernovae chemistry
20 - Molecular gas, starbursts and active galactic nuclei
21 - Excitation and detectability of molecules in active galactic nuclei
22 - X-ray dominated regions
23 - Water molecules in the circumnuclear regions of active galaxies
24 - The suppression of dust formation in evolved stars near active galactic nuclei