Astrochemistry is the study of the chemical compositions of celestial bodies, including stars, planets, and comets. This field helps scientists understand the formation of molecules in space, the chemical processes in stars, and how life might emerge on other planets. Astrochemists study everything from the gas clouds in nebulae to the surface composition of distant exoplanets.
The molecules found in space, such as water, carbon monoxide, and complex organic compounds, offer clues about the origins of life. Understanding these chemical processes in space is key to answering fundamental questions about the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.