Molecular Astronomy

Star-forming regions, cool stellar atomospheres and brown dwarfs are all examples of extraterrestrial sources where, with the collaboration of astronomers, infrared and radio observations of molecules are underway. Studies of sunspots produced the spectrum of hot water - "Water on the Sun." As well, the C₃ and C₅ carbon chain molecules were discovered in the atmosphere of a carbon star by infrared astronomy. In addition to astronomical observations, the laboratory astrophysics of molecules such as C₆₀, triplet C₃, CH₄, TiO, CrH, and SiS is of interest.