“An excellent monograph by a well-qualified authority. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers/faculty.” (Choice, 1 July 2012)
The discovery of the wide presence of organic matter in the Universe came as a surprise to the scientific community. Over the past 30 years, many extraterrestrial organic molecules and solids have been identified by spectroscopic or laboratory means. This book summarizes the observational evidence for organic matter in the Solar System, stars and interstellar space, and distant galaxies. Our current understanding of the origin and distribution of organic matter is also discussed. Special emphasis is put on the commonality and links between organics observed in stars and meteorites, asteroids, comets, and interplanetary dust particles. The possibility that the Earth inherited complex organic compounds produced by stars has raised new questions about how life originated on our planet.
This book is a useful introduction for students and scientists in astronomy, chemistry, biology, geology, physics and space science who wish to gain an overview of this fascinating subject. The inclusion of many up-to-date references provides a solid platform for researchers to enter this field.
From the Back Cover
The discovery of the wide presence of organic matter in the Universe came as a surprise to the scientific community. Over the past 30 years, many extraterrestrial organic molecules and solids have been identified by spectroscopic or laboratory means. This book summarizes the observational evidence for organic matter in the Solar System, stars and interstellar space, and distant galaxies. Our current understanding of the origin and distribution of organic matter is also discussed. Special emphasis is put on the commonality and links between organics observed in stars and meteorites, asteroids, comets, and interplanetary dust particles. The possibility that the Earth inherited complex organic compounds produced by stars has raised new questions about how life originated on our planet.
This book is a useful introduction for students and scientists in astronomy, chemistry, biology, geology, physics and space science who wish to gain an overview of this fascinating subject. The inclusion of many up-to-date references provides a solid platform for researchers to enter this field.
About the Author
Professor Kwok is the Dean of Science and Chair Professor of Physics of the University of Hong Kong. He is the author of established books and numerous papers. Professor Kwok?s area of research is stellar evolution and astrochemistry. His theory on the origin of planetary nebulae has influenced our understanding of the death of Sun-like stars. He has been guest observer on many space missions including the Hubble Space Telescope and the Infrared Space Observatory. Between 1994 and 2006, Professor Kwok served as the Principal Investigator for Canada?s submillimeter-wave satellite Odin which was successfully launched in 2001.
He has served in many national and international bodies, including as chairman of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Planetary Nebulae (1994-2001), and Vice President, International Astronomical Union, Division VI (Interstellar Matter) (2009-present).
Wow! eBook
