Infrared and optical spectroscopy of astrophysical molecules

The recent laboratory spectroscopy of a number of astrophysically important molecules are discussed. Examples include small molecules such as CrH, HF, FeF, SiS, CH4, H20, SiO and TiO as well as large molecules such as COO and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of these examples illustrate the utility of infrared and far infrared emission spectroscopy. The close coupling of laboratory spectroscopy and molecular astronomy has led to advances in both areas.