Comparison of the Organic Composition of Cometary Samples with Residues Formed from the UV Irradiation of Astrophysical Ice Analogs
Abstract
We present C-, N-, and O-XANES (X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy) results of organic residues produced in the laboratory from the UV irradiation of astrophysical ice mixture analogs containing H2O, CO, CH3OH, NH3, and/or naphthalene (C10H8), and/or hexane (C6H14), in order to mimic processes that may occur in cold icy bodies of the outer Solar System, particularly comets. Such analyses showed that laboratory-formed organic residues mainly consist of a solid phase and an oily phase. C-XANES analysis of the solid phase suggests a rich distribution of organic functionalities, among which carbonyl, C=C, and alcohols, whereas N-XANES spectra indicate the possible presence of amide, amine, and nitrile groups. O-XANES spectra confirmed the O-bearing groups. These results are compared with the XANES spectra obtained from cometary samples.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.P11A1199N
- Keywords:
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- 5200 PLANETARY SCIENCES: ASTROBIOLOGY;
- 6020 PLANETARY SCIENCES: COMETS AND SMALL BODIES / Ices;
- 6040 PLANETARY SCIENCES: COMETS AND SMALL BODIES / Origin and evolution;
- 6060 PLANETARY SCIENCES: COMETS AND SMALL BODIES / Radiation and chemistry