The synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds in evolved stars

@article{Kwok2004TheSO,
  title={The synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds in evolved stars},
  author={Sun Kwok},
  journal={Nature},
  year={2004},
  volume={430},
  pages={985-991}
}
  • S. Kwok
  • Published 26 August 2004
  • Physics, Geology
  • Nature
Recent isotopic analysis of meteorites and interplanetary dust has identified solid-state materials of pre-solar origin. We can now trace the origin of these inorganic grains to the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars. Moreover, organic (aromatic and aliphatic) compounds have been detected in proto-planetary nebulae and planetary nebulae, which are the descendants of carbon stars. This implies that molecular synthesis is actively happening in the circumstellar environment on timescales as… 
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144 Citations

Enrichment of the solar system by organic compounds delivered from evolved stars

Title Organic Compounds in Circumstellar and Interstellar Environments

Recent research has discovered that complex organic matter is prevalent throughout the Universe. In the Solar System, it is found in meteorites, comets, interplanetary dust particles, and planetary…

Amorphous organic solids as a component of interstellar dust

The discovery of rapid synthesis of complex organic solids in the late stages of stellar evolution has led to a new realization that carbonaceous compounds can be a major significant component of…

Cosmic carbon chemistry: from the interstellar medium to the early Earth.

The connection between presolar and solar system material is investigated based on observations of interstellar dust and gas, cometary volatiles, simulation experiments, and the analysis of extraterrestrial matter.

Formation and Delivery of Complex Organic Molecules to the Solar System and Early Earth

  • S. Kwok
  • Physics, Geology
    Handbook of Astrobiology
  • 2018
The late stages of stellar evolution from asymptotic giant branch stars to planetary nebulae are now known to be an active phase of molecular synthesis. Over 80 gas-phase molecules have been detected…

Synthesis of organic compounds in the circumstellar environment

  • S. Kwok
  • Physics
    Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
  • 2008
Abstract Through the techniques of millimeter-wave and infrared spectroscopy, over 60 species of gas-phase molecules and a variety of inorganic and organic solids have been detected in the short…

Chemical enrichment of galaxies as the result of organic synthesis in evolved stars

Abstract Infrared spectroscopic observations have shown that complex organics with mixed aromatic-aliphatic structures are synthesized in large quantities during the late stages of stellar evolution.…

Molecules and solids in planetary nebulae and proto-planetary nebulae

Delivery of Complex Organic Compounds from Evolved Stars to the Solar System

  • S. Kwok
  • Physics
    Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres
  • 2011
To what extent stellar organics has enriched the primordial Solar System and possibly the early Earth is discussed.

Chemical Enrichment of the Solar System by Stellar Ejecta

  • S. Kwok
  • Physics
    Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
  • 2012
Abstract Spectroscopic observations of evolved stars have shown signatures of aromatic and aliphatic compounds. This suggests that complex organics with chemical structures similar to those of…
...

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