Description:
This video lecture explores the chemistry of the hordes of molecules in the interstellar medium revealed by radioastronomical observations of our galaxy. Extremely fast reactions result in the high abundance of complex organic compounds in the space between the stars. The chemistry of the interstellar medium illustrates that complex synthesis occurs under totally abiotic conditions. The specific reactions that occur in the dark polyatomic interstellar regions are discussed in terms of cosmic ray induced primary ionization followed by specific secondary ion molecule reactions. The lecture shows that the high abundance of complex carbon compounds is due to the chemistry of the helium ions. Finally, it is explained how radiation collapses matter so that it aggregates into galaxies. The video is 1 hour in length.
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