title: Formation of organic compounds from simulated Titan atmosphere: perspectives of the Cassini mission.
abstract: Gas mixtures of methane and nitrogen were subjected to proton irradiation (PI), gamma irradiation (GI), UV irradiation (UV) or spark discharges (SD), and the products were analyzed to compare possible energy sources for synthesis of organics in Titan. SD mainly gave unsaturated hydrocarbons, while PI gave saturated hydrocarbons. N-containing organics were detected in PI, GI and SD, but not in UV. The formers yielded amino acids after acid-hydrolysis of solid phase products (tholin). Comparison of the present results with those by Cassini-Huygens [correction of Heygens] mission will make it possible to prove major energy sources for organic synthesis in Titan atmosphere.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Kensei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyakawa
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D018559:Exobiology; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D008697:Methane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D018539:Saturn
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane