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AsteriaStar
Astrochemical process

Shock Chemistry

Chemistry triggered when gas is suddenly heated and compressed — by the outflows of newborn stars or the blast waves of supernovae. Shocks sputter material off dust grains and power reactions that need high temperatures, changing a cloud's chemistry.

Environments, telescopes & molecules

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.