title: Bioastrophysical aspects of low energy ion irradiation of frozen anthracene containing water.
abstract: The origin of life on Earth remains a fascinating mystery in spite of many theories existing on this subject. However, it seems that simple prebiotic molecules could play an essential role in the formation of more complex organisms. In our experiment, we synthesized a class of these molecules (quinones) bombarding frozen anthracene containing water with low energy hydrogen ions. This experiment roughly simulated the astrophysical conditions which one can find in the solar system. Thus, we can hypothesize that prebiotic molecules could be created by interaction of the solar wind with interplanetary dust grains. The delivery of these molecules to early Earth may have contributed to the generation of life on our planet.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Reymonta 4, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuleta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gabła
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madej
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D019443:Cosmic Dust; D018559:Exobiology; D005615:Freezing; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069497:Origin of Life; D019445:Solar Activity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D002412:Cations; D019443:Cosmic Dust; D014867:Water; D006859:Hydrogen; C034020:anthracene