Space Chemistry

203 Pages·1976·21.247 MB·English

by  L. Nikolaev

JI. A. HlIKOJIaeB M3AaTeJlLCTBO
XlfMIIH KOCMOCA «11pOCBe~eHHe»
MOCKB8
Space
Chemistry
L. NIKOLAEV
Translated from the Russian by
Y. NADLER
l\1ir Publishers
Moscow
The Greek Alphabet
Aa Alpha I .. Iota Pp Rho
B~ Beta Kx Kappa ~(J' Sigma
ry Gamma AA Lambda T't Tau
f16 Delta MJ.t Mu r" Upsilon
EB Epsilon Nv Nu (1)cp Phi
Z~ Zeta 8~ Xi Xx Chi
Hl1 Eta 00 Omicron '1''1' Psi
8,e) Theta TIn Pi Qoo Omega
First published 1976 © English translation,
Revised from the 1974 Mir Publishers, 1976
Russian edition
CONTENTS
Fromthe Author 7
Chapter I. Research Methods Used in Space Chemistry 12
1. Light Rays and Chemical Composition 12
2. "Optical Specifications" of an Atom 16
3. Cosmic Matter on the Earth 24
4. Analytical Procedures and Techniques 29
Chapter II. Chemical Composition of Celestial Bodies.
The Solar System 37
1. Meteorites . . 37
2. Chemistry of the Solar System 53
3. The Sun and Planets of the Solar System 56
4. The Planets 65
Chapter III. Scope of Earth and Space Chemistry 94
1. General.. . 94
2. What Happens to Matter at High Pressure 97
3. What Happens to Matter at High Temperatures 100
4. Plasma State of Matter 103
Chapter IV. The World of Stars 107
1. Brightness and Luminosity of Stars . . . .. 107
2. The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) Diagram and Stel-
lar Evolution ..... 108
3. Chemical Composition of Stars 112
4. Stellar Atmospheres. Light and Gravitation 120
5. Novae . 123
6. Supernovae 126
7. Comets • . . 127
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Chapter V. Nuclear Reactions and Sources of Stellar
Energy 129
1. Constituents of the Atomic Nucleus . 129
2. Properties of Some Elementary Particles 132
3. Nuclear Reactions 135
4. Nuclear Energy Sources 136
5. Types of Nuclear Reactions 140
6. Sources of Solar Energy 145
Chapter VI. Evolution of Stars and Synthesis of Elements 151
1. Stages in the Life History of Stars . . . . . . 15'1
2. The Most Important Nuclear Reactions in Stars 162
3. Interstellar Matter . . . . . . . • 166
4. Possibility of Formation of Organic Compounds
Due to Action of Protons in Solar and Cosmic
Radiation . . . 168
5. Chemistry and Cosmology 169
Chapter VII. Prtmary Synthesis of Organic Compounds 174
1. Physical Factors which Affect Synthesis 174
2. Action of Light on Matter 176
3. Relative Role of Various Energy Sources in
Synthesis of Primary Organic Compounds . 181
4. Principal Types of Chemical Processes in Space 190
Index 193
FROM THE AUTHOR
Space chemistry Is a science of the near future.
Rapid progress in the field of chemical research of the
planets,starsand nebulaehas resultedfrom thedevelop
ment and application of such sophisticated chemical
and physicalresearch techniquesasultraviolet, infrared
and radio spectroscopy, as well as the study of X-ray
radiation and the magnetic fields of distant celestial
bodies.
At the present time much of the data obtained
has. been verified. The manned space flights and the
flights of.automatic interplanetary stations have ope
ned the way for the direct analysis of the chemical
composition of the planets and the study of the inters
tellar medium under conditions that have heretofore
been impossible. The numberofhypothesesandassump
tions still remaining in space chemistry is constantly
decreasing, while the general picture ofelement synthe
sis in the interior of stars and the close connection bet
ween the evolution of stars and the chemical processes
that occur in them are becoming more clearly defined.
The practical application of space chemistry is
of no mean significance: the precise knowledge of the
conditions of future space flights, the study of the
effect ofsolar activity on the state ofthe Earth's atmo
sphere and the health of its inhabitants-all this
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