In this chapter I will attempt to set the astronomical contexts for the subject. I will try to identify some of the key issues and to question whether some topics (e.g. diffuse interstellar bands) are mostly distractions.
analogy with coupling between astrophysics and atomic physics and atomic spectroscopy throughout the 20th century
brief summary of some highlights of lab astrochemistry
General: slowly evolving systems out of equilibrium
Interstellar matter
Winds, shocks, outflows
Planetary atmospheres
Comets
Intergalactic matter and cosmology
(for each of the above, I will try to summarize the characteristic conditions:
time scales
densities
temperatures
radiation environments
energetic particles
large-scale kinematics and dynamics, including turbulence )