Astrochemistry

You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?

There's some serious chemistry involved in the search for life on other planets (or gas clouds or asteroids or comets). However, other disciplines come into play as well, such as robotics, aeronautics, biology, geology, and economics. Here's an overview of how we search for ETs.

Columbia's STS-107 carried Australia's first animals into space. Learn about the Columbia spider experiment and the Skylab 3 experiment and visit links to ground-based research and space exploration.

This site has annotated links for general astrochemistry information, book reviews, and a list of astrochemistry research agencies.

Identifying chemicals in asteroids, comets, and planetary atmospheres. From Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.

These are details of the multidisciplinary Astrochemistry of Life seminar at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2001 Annual Conference. Authors and titles of presentations are provided.

Interstellar abundance of this element. From Th. Henning and F. Salama, Science magazine.

Evolution and origin of life on Earth beginning with space-borne particles. From Brig Klyce.

Michael Meyer's article on instellar organic chemistry discusses the requirements and search for extraterrestrial life. A list of recommended links and books is also provided.

This site lists Goddard's research areas, activities, organizational structure, public outreach programs, and contact information.

One hundred and eighteen compounds discovered in interstellar clouds and in comets. From Al Wootten, National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Continuing updates from NASA's mission to capture interstellar dust and comet samples.