Observational Molecular Astronomy
Exploring the Universe Using Molecular Line Emissions

This is the first book for astronomers who wish to use molecular emissions as a tool to explore the Universe.

David A. Williams (Author), Serena Viti (Author)

9781107018167, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 November 2013

184 pages, 41 b/w illus. 24 tables
23.5 x 15.5 x 1.4 cm, 0.48 kg

'I would recommend that anyone embarking on a career in radio, microwave, or submillimetre astronomy and wondering what to do, why to do it, and how to do it, should own this book … it is a book that will not languish untouched on a bookshelf, but will be eagerly and often returned to and will become well thumbed.' The Observatory

Molecular line emissions offer researchers exciting opportunities to learn about the evolutionary state of the Milky Way and distant galaxies. This text provides a detailed introduction to molecular astrophysics and an array of useful techniques for observing astronomical phenomena at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths. After discussing the theoretical underpinnings of molecular observation, the authors catalogue suitable molecular tracers for many types of astronomical regions in local and distant parts of the Universe, including cold gas reservoirs primed for the formation of new stars, regions of active star formation, giant photon-dominated regions and near active galactic nuclei. Further chapters demonstrate how to obtain useful astronomical information from raw telescope data while providing recommendations for appropriate observing strategies. Replete with maps, charts and references for further reading, this handbook will suit research astronomers and graduate students interested in broadening their skill to take advantage of the new facilities now coming online.

Introduction
1. Spectra and excitation of molecules
2. Astrochemical processes
3. Physical processes in different astronomical environments
4. Molecular tracers in the Milky Way galaxy
5. Molecular tracers in external galaxies
6. The Early Universe and the first galaxies
7. Recipes for molecular submillimetre astronomy
8. Chemical and radiative transfer models
9. Observations: which molecule, which transition?

Subject Areas: Atomic & molecular physics [PHM], Physics [PH], Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]