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AsteriaStar
Astrochemical process

Photochemistry

Chemistry driven by ultraviolet starlight, which breaks molecules apart and ionises atoms at the illuminated edges of clouds and the surfaces of disks — both destroying molecules and opening new reaction pathways.

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.