Contribution of chemistry to astronomy

Answer 1

- determination of the chemical composition o f our planetary system (Sun planets)

- determination of the composition of stars

- determination of the composition of comets and meteorites

- identification of chemical compounds in the universe

Some branches of chemistry are involved: cosmochemistry, spectrometry, chemical analysis.

Answer 2

Chemistry is essential to astronomy, since (in combination with techniques used in physics) it allows us to determine the chemical composition of distant celestial objects.

Using a technique known as spectroscopy, we are able to 'fingerprint' the light that reaches us from a star or planet, and work out which chemicals are present, all without even leaving the lab.

Analysing a profound astronomical object such as our own sun, also allows us to closely observe large-scale chemical reactions which could never safely take place on earth.

Whenever we use chemistry techniques to analyse the chemical composition of our own planet, we are also making a contribution to astronomy, since the Earth is itself within the field of study of astronomy.

Whenever asteroids fall to earth and enough matter survives, we are able to analyse them using chemistry, to find out more about the rest of the universe. We have also managed to retrieve a small number of samples from the moon, which have also been analysed in a similar fashion.

Answer 3

Chemistry is a core science, present in all other sciences. A big contribution to meteorology, atmospheric chemistry deals with the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere as well as the other planets.