Organic Matter in Space (IAU S251)

Our knowledge of the origin, evolution, nature, and distribution of organic matter in space has undergone a revolution in recent years. Insights into various aspects of this material can be found using a variety of different technical approaches. These range from telescopic measurements by observational astronomers over a wide range of wavelengths, to laboratory experiments and simulations by chemists, physicists, and spectroscopists, and analyses of actual extraterrestrial materials. IAU Symposium 251 brought together expertise of scientists from different disciplines, including observational astronomers, laboratory spectroscopists, and solar system scientists, to provide a synthesis of our current understanding of these organics and to identify areas in which additional work and new ideas are required to further our understanding.

• Contains contributions from a multidisciplinary mix of active researchers, providing a broad range of information
• Includes new astronomical observations, the results of current relevant theoretical and laboratory work, and the latest results from recent spacecraft missions like Stardust and Cassini
• Cover the nature of organics throughout the universe, from the planets, satellites, and small bodies found in our own Solar System, to other galaxies