The feedback of massive stars on interstellar astrochemical processes


M. De Becker

Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography, University of Liège, Belgium

Astrochemistry is a discipline that studies physico-chemical processes in astrophysical environments. Such environments are characterized by conditions that are substantially different from those existing in usual chemical laboratories. Models which aim to explain the formation of molecular species in interstellar environments must take into account various factors, including many that are directly, or indirectly related to the populations of massive stars in galaxies. The aim of this paper is to review the influence of massive stars, whatever their evolution stage, on the physico-chemical processes at work in interstellar environments. These influences include the ultraviolet radiation field, the production of high energy particles, the synthesis of radionuclides and the formation of shocks that permeate the interstellar medium.

Reference: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Science
Status: Manuscript has been accepted

Weblink: http://hdl.handle.net/2268/159499

Comments: arXiv link: http://arxiv.org/abs/1312.2453

Email: debecker@astro.ulg.ac.be