title: Origin of organic matter in the protosolar nebula and in comets.
abstract: Comet organics are traced to their origin in interstellar space. Possible sources of comet organics from solar nebula chemistry are briefly discussed. The infrared spectra of interstellar dust are compared with spectra of solar (space) irradiated laboratory organic residues and with meteorites. The spectra compare very favorably. The atomic composition of first generation laboratory organic residues compares favorably with that of comet Halley organics if divided into appropriate "volatile" (less refractory) and "refractory" (more refractory) complex organics.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Astrophysics, Sterrewacht Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Shalabiea
authors.forename: C X
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Gomez
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gerakines
mesh_terms: D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D018559:Exobiology; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D007053:Ice; D019110:Meteoroids; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D019443:Cosmic Dust; D007053:Ice; D009930:Organic Chemicals