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The Laboratory Production of Complex Organic Molecules in Simulated Interstellar IcesMuch of the volatiles in interstellar dense clouds exist in ices surrounding dust grains. Their low temperatures preclude most chemical reactions, but ionizing radiation can drive reactions that produce a suite of new species, many of which are complex organics. The Astrochemistry Lab at NASA-Ames studies the UV radiation processing of interstellar ice analogs to better identify the resulting products and establish links between interstellar chemistry, the organics in meteorites, and the origin of life on Earth. Once identified, the spectral properties of the products can be quantified to assist with the search for these species in space. Of particular interest are findings that UV irradiation of interstellar ice analogs produces molecules of importance in current living organisms, including quiriones, amphiphiles, and amino acids. Quinones play a variety of roles including electron transport and are used by all organisms. Studies show that quinones should be made wherever polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are irradiated in interstellar ices (Bernstein et al. 2001). Amphiphiles are also made when mixed molecular ices are irradiated. These amphiphiles self-assemble into membrane-walled vesicles when put in liquid water (Dworkin et al. 2001). Ice irradiation can also produce (Bernstein et al. 2002) and destroy amino acids (Ehrenfreund et al. 2001). Many of the same processes thought to make organics in space should yield products highly enriched in deuterium (D) (Sandford et al. 2001). The high D/H ratios in some interstellar species, and the knowledge that many of the organics in primitive meteorites are D-enriched, suggests that such linkages do exist. By using D as a tracer, we expect to learn more about the different chemical processes occurring in space and their relative importance in the production of different organic compounds and delivery to planetary surfaces.
Document ID
20020054236
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dworkin, Jason P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Sandford, Scott A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Bernstein, Max P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Allamandola, Louis J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, D.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: May 1, 2002
End Date: May 3, 2002
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-37-44-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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