The formation of interstellar molecules

JUN 01, 1976

Cosmic rays may provide the energy flux necessary for the continual synthesis of molecules in dense

H_{2}

clouds, according to this detailed model of the carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen chemistry of those regions.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3023517

Eric Herbst

William Klemperer

The expanding universe is $10^{10} years$ old and has a radius of $10^{10}$ light years or $10^{28} cm .$ Matter in the universe, distributed in a highly non‐uniform manner, is concentrated largely in galaxies, which occupy only a minute fraction ${(10}^{−7})$ of the volume of the universe. In addition to stars, most galaxies contain diffuse, low density interstellar matter. Because interstellar matter is most easily studied in our own galaxy, the discussion here will focus on it, although this discussion should be pertinent to other galaxies as well.

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More about the authors

Eric Herbst, Department of Chemistry, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

William Klemperer, Harvard University.