Meteoroid Delivery of Aromatic Compounds to Mars
Abstract
A study has been performed to estimate the quantity of aromatic compounds being carried to Mars via meteoroids. Organic molecules are commonly found in meteorites impacting Earth, and recent studies have found that organic compounds may be outgassed during atmospheric entry of micrometeorites. A similar population of meteoroids can be expected to fall to Mars; thus, it is likely that meteoroids carry chemically stable organics (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) there as well. Computer simulations have been performed using the most current atmospheric data for Mars. Temperature profiles have been calculated for a number of different meteoroid sizes, entry velocities and entry angles. Finally, an estimate of the total flux of organic compounds arriving on Mars due to meteoroid delivery has been made. This work will support future missions to investigate organic environments on Mars.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.P11A1193T
- Keywords:
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- 0343 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Planetary atmospheres;
- 2442 IONOSPHERE / Meteor-trail physics;
- 6225 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Mars;
- 6245 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Meteors