Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Astrochemistry is the multi-disciplinary study of the creation, interaction, and evolution of chemical elements and molecules in space. It connects astronomy, chemistry, and physics in the quest to decipher how molecules create and evolve in the interstellar medium, molecular clouds, planetary atmospheres, and circumstellar disks.Molecular clouds are gas- and dust-dense regions that are the major locations for the creation of stars and intricate chemical reactions. In these settings, atoms condense into basic molecules like H₂, CO, and H₂O, which react further on dust grains or in gas-phase chemistry to produce more complex organic and prebiotic molecules. Understanding these reactions helps scientists trace the chemical pathways that may lead to the origins of life.

Astrochemists also study the chemistry of comets, planetary atmospheres, and interstellar dust, which provide insights into the distribution of molecules and the conditions in early planetary systems. Observations with radio telescopes, infrared spectroscopy, and space missions enable the detection of complex organic molecules, including amino acids, in protostellar disks and star-forming regions.Space environments' chemical evolution is shaped by high-energy processes like ultraviolet radiation, cosmic rays, and shock waves, promoting ionization and molecular dissociation. Laboratory experiments and computational models supplement observations, enabling scientists to decipher reaction mechanisms and the abundance of molecules in various cosmic environments.

Astrochemistry plays a vital role in examining planet formation, prebiotic chemistry, and the chemical evolution of galaxies. It also facilitates astrobiology studies by detecting molecular precursors to life and establishing the potential for life in exoplanets and moons. In studying the chemistry of the universe, astrochemistry enhances our knowledge of the world, ranging from the molecules in space to the processes that influence stars, planets, and the requirements for life.