Most of the matter in the universe, even excluding hydrogen and helium, is not organic or biological in any way. Refractory compounds, often with oxygen at their heart, make up most material in the universe. These compounds coalesce into dust grains, macroscopic particles, and crystalline minerals. They then go on to comprise asteroids, planets, and other rocky bodies. The surfaces of such objects are potentially necessary for subsequent volatile chemistry leading to the chemical origins of life. However, such refractory materials have to form and will also go through their own chemical processes and destruction themselves throughout the evolution of their surrounding astrophysical environment.
This Research Topic will highlight ongoing work in the area of refractory astrochemistry. This research creates novel interplay between materials science and astrophysics allowing for contributions from disciplines across the physical sciences. Laboratory experiments, computational modeling, astrophysical observation, and joint studies will provide a robust discussion of refractory or proto-refractory astrochemistry. Article types such as Original Research, Reviews, Brief Research Report and Mini Reviews are welcome. Each submitted manuscript should have a clear application to chemical processes taking place in astrophysical environments, and the molecules or materials of study should not be mistaken for volatile species.
Most of the matter in the universe, even excluding hydrogen and helium, is not organic or biological in any way. Refractory compounds, often with oxygen at their heart, make up most material in the universe. These compounds coalesce into dust grains, macroscopic particles, and crystalline minerals. They then go on to comprise asteroids, planets, and other rocky bodies. The surfaces of such objects are potentially necessary for subsequent volatile chemistry leading to the chemical origins of life. However, such refractory materials have to form and will also go through their own chemical processes and destruction themselves throughout the evolution of their surrounding astrophysical environment.
This Research Topic will highlight ongoing work in the area of refractory astrochemistry. This research creates novel interplay between materials science and astrophysics allowing for contributions from disciplines across the physical sciences. Laboratory experiments, computational modeling, astrophysical observation, and joint studies will provide a robust discussion of refractory or proto-refractory astrochemistry. Article types such as Original Research, Reviews, Brief Research Report and Mini Reviews are welcome. Each submitted manuscript should have a clear application to chemical processes taking place in astrophysical environments, and the molecules or materials of study should not be mistaken for volatile species.
