Astrochemistry: From primordial gas to present-day clouds

Abstract

Astrochemistry plays a central role during the process of star formation, both in the primordial regime as well as in the present-day Universe. We revisit here the chemistry in both regimes, focusing first on the chemistry under close to primordial conditions, as observed in the so-called Caffau star SDSS J102915+172927, and subsequently discuss deuteration processes in present-day star-forming cores. In models of the high-redshift Universe, the chemistry is particularly relevant to determine the cooling, while it also serves as an important diagnostic in the case of present-day star formation.

3 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings article for "Francesco's Legacy: Star Formation in Space and Time", to be published in "Memorie della Società Astronomica Italiana"