Organic matter in carbonaceous meteorites: past, present and future research.
Carbonaceous meteorites are fragments of ancient asteroids that have remained relatively unprocessed since the formation of the Solar System. These carbon-rich objects provide a record of prebiotic chemical evolution and a window on the early Solar System. Many compound classes are present reflecting a rich organic chemical environment during the formation of the planets. Recent theories suggest that similar extraterrestrial organic mixtures may have acted as the starting materials for life on Earth.
Sephton
Mark A
MA
Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre (IARC), South Kensington Campus, Imperial College Department of Earth Science and Engineering London SW7 2AZ, UK. m.a.sephton@imperial.ac.uk
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D018534:Earth, Planet; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D019419:Evolution, Planetary; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005544:Forecasting; D005844:Geology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D019110:Meteoroids; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*; D016082:Solar System
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002244:Carbon