Formation and Delivery of Complex Organic Molecules to the Solar System and Early Earth

Kwok, Sun

doi:10.1201/b22230-14

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…It is therefore important to understand the origin and formation of such material and how the journey through space influences organic material before it was delivered to Earth. With this in mind, various questions arise regarding the role of exogenous organic material delivery by small cosmic bodies, including but not limited to: where and how was the organic matter formed and how was it incorporated into small bodies or planetesimals; how radiation affects the formation of organic compounds; how much of this material was delivered to Earth; how might the mineral matrix of the small bodies change during space travel; how the physicochemical properties of inorganic and mineral surfaces may have affected the formation, nature, preservation, amount and local distribution of organic material; do these factors play a protective role against space radiation or atmospheric entry; and what is the significance of exogenously delivered organic material versus endogenous organics in the prebiotic chemistry leading to the origins of life 20 ?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future space experiment platforms for astrobiology and astrochemistry research

et al. 2023

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Space experiments are a technically challenging but a scientifically important part of astrobiology and astrochemistry research. The International Space Station (ISS) is an excellent example of a highly successful and long-lasting research platform for experiments in space, that has provided a wealth of scientific data over the last two decades. However, future space platforms present new opportunities to conduct experiments with the potential to address key topics in astrobiology and astrochemistry. In this perspective, the European Space Agency (ESA) Topical Team Astrobiology and Astrochemistry (with feedback from the wider scientific community) identifies a number of key topics and summarizes the 2021 “ESA SciSpacE Science Community White Paper” for astrobiology and astrochemistry. We highlight recommendations for the development and implementation of future experiments, discuss types of in situ measurements, experimental parameters, exposure scenarios and orbits, and identify knowledge gaps and how to advance scientific utilization of future space-exposure platforms that are either currently under development or in an advanced planning stage. In addition to the ISS, these platforms include CubeSats and SmallSats, as well as larger platforms such as the Lunar Orbital Gateway. We also provide an outlook for in situ experiments on the Moon and Mars, and welcome new possibilities to support the search for exoplanets and potential biosignatures within and beyond our solar system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future space experiment platforms for astrobiology and astrochemistry research

et al. 2023

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“…This subject has been reviewed by several authors, like for instance Kwok & Zhang (2011), Kwok (2012Kwok ( , 2016, Peeters (2013), Mackie et al (2015) and references therein. The UIE phenomenon has puzzled astronomers and astrochemists for decades and a series of possible carriers of the UIE were proposed (Tielens 2008;Kwok, 2012Kwok, , 2016Kwok, , 2019Mackie et al 2015). In Table 1 (first column in the left) we list the most common and prominent UIE features, while weaker UIE features are listed in the second column from left of Table 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Petroleum, coal and other organics in space

Cataldo¹,

García–Hernández²,

Manchado³

2020

Astrophys Space Sci

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The petroleum and coal models of the unidentified infrared emissions (UIE), sometimes referred also as unidentified infrared bands (UIBs) has been reviewed mainly based on the work of the authors with the inclusion of unpublished results. It is shown that the petroleum and coal model of the UIE converges and merges quite well with the MAON (Mixed Aromatic Aliphatic Organic Nanoparticles) model of the UIE. It is shown that the thermal treatment of various substrates like PAHs, alkylated PAHs but also mixed aliphatic/olefinic substrates leads invariable to carbonaceous materials matching the infrared spectrum of anthracite coal or certain petroleum fractions. Thus, the experimental thermal processing (which under space conditions could be equivalent to the expected processing by shock waves or high energy radiation) of mixed aromatic/aliphatic organic matter can be used to match also the UIE evolution. Another way to simulate the thermal/radiation processing of organic matter in space, can be achieved through the carbon arc. Simple substrates processed in this way produce carbon soot and a plethora of organic molecules. Fullerenes are found in space both through mid-infrared and optical spectroscopy and it is very likely that other complex related species such as endohedral fullerenes (i.e. fullerenes with a metal, heteroatom or molecules inside the cage) may be formed in space. After all, their formation requires the same conditions as those needed for fullerene formation provided that also a metal vapour (e.g. interstellar/circumstellar gas) is available. The last part of this review is thus dedicated to the recent results on the study and characterization of an endohedral C60 derivative containing lithium inside the cage.

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