NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Photochemical reactions in interstellar grains photolysis of CO, NH3, and H2OThe interstellar grains are currently considered to be the basic building blocks of comets and, possibly, meteorites. To test this theory, a simulation of the organic layer accreted onto interstellar dust particles was prepared by slow deposition of a CO:NH3:H2O gas mixture on an Al block at 10 K, with concomitant irradiation with vacuum UV. The results of the HPLC and IR analyses of the nonvolatile residue formed by photolysis at 10 K are compared with those observed at 77 K and 298 K. Some of the compounds that may be present on the surfaces of interstellar dust particles have been identified, and some specific predictions concerning the types of molecular species present in comets could be drawn. The results also suggest that photochemical reactions may have been important for the formation of meteorite components. The implication of the findings to the questions of the source of organic matter on earth and the origin of life are discussed.
Document ID
19860043983
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Agarwal, V. K.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Troy, NY, United States)
Ferris, J. P.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States)
Schutte, W.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Troy, NY, United States)
Greenberg, J. M.
(Leiden Rijksuniversiteit, Netherlands)
Briggs, R.
(New York State Dept. of Health, Albany, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life
Volume: 16
Issue: 1 19
ISSN: 0302-1688
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
86A28721
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-33-018-148
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available