Observational Molecular Astronomy

David A. Williams is the Emeritus Perren Professor of Astronomy at University College London. A former president of the Royal Astronomical Society (2000–2) and recipient of the RAS's Gold Medal (2009), he has led research groups in Manchester and London, and has co-authored a number of texts on astrophysics and astrochemistry. His research interests centre on astrochemistry and using molecular line emissions to describe and understand the evolution of astronomical regions. Serena Viti is a Professor of Astrophysics at University College London. She began her career working on the spectroscopy of very cool stars but soon became interested in star formation and astrochemistry. She is the secretary of the European Astronomical Society and she routinely serves on national and international scientific panels and committees.

• Introduction; 1. Spectra and excitation of molecules; 2. Astrochemical processes; 3. Physical processes in different astronomical environments; 4. Molecular tracers in the Milky Way galaxy; 5. Molecular tracers in external galaxies; 6. The Early Universe and the first galaxies; 7. Recipes for molecular submillimetre astronomy; 8. Chemical and radiative transfer models; 9. Observations: which molecule, which transition?

'This book is an excellent introduction to the field of molecular line astrophysics. Williams and Viti cover the range of astrophysical conditions that can be probed, and the most useful molecules and transitions. The expositions are lucid, and each chapter directs the reader to papers and books for further study, and to websites where up-to-date molecular data are available. Observational Molecular Astronomy will be a valuable guide to both graduate students and researchers.' Bruce T. Draine, Princeton University