Formation of organic compounds from simulated Titan atmosphere: perspectives of the Cassini mission.
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.
Koike
Toshiyuki
T
Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University.
Kaneko
Takeo
T
Kobayashi
Kensei
K
Miyakawa
Shin
S
Takano
Yoshinori
Y
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
D000596:Amino Acids; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane