what is Astrochemistry info Chemical Man

Astrochemistry is the study of the abundance and reactions of molecules in the Universe, and their interaction with radiation. The discipline is an overlap of astronomy and chemistry. The word "astrochemistry" may be applied to both the Solar System and the interstellar medium. The study of the abundance of elements and isotope ratios in Solar System objects, such as meteorites, is also called cosmochemistry, while the study of interstellar atoms and molecules and their interaction with radiation is sometimes called molecular astrophysics. The formation, atomic and chemical composition, evolution and fate of molecular gas clouds is of special interest, because it is from these clouds that solar systems form.

The discovery of interstellar formaldehyde - and later, other molecules with potential biological significance such as water or carbon monoxide - is seen by some as strong supporting evidence for abiogenetic theories of life: specifically, theories which hold that the basic molecular components of life came from extraterrestrial sources. This has prompted a still ongoing search for interstellar molecules which are either of direct biological importance - such as interstellar glycine, discovered in 2009 - or which exhibit biologically relevant properties like Chirality - an example of which (propylene oxide) was discovered in 2016 - alongside more basic astrochemical research.