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Unusual stable isotope ratios in amino acid and carboxylic acid extracts from the Murchison meteoriteThe isotopic composition of hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon in amino acid and monocarboxylic acid extracts from the Murchison meteorite has been determined. The unusually high D/H and N-15/N-14 ratios in the amino acid fraction are uniquely characteristic of known interstellar organic materials. The delta D value of the monocarboxylic acid fraction is lower but still consistent with an interstellar origin. These results confirm the extraterrestrial origin of both classes of compound and provide the first evidence suggesting a direct relationship between the massive organosynthesis occurring in interstellar clouds and the presence of prebiotic compounds in primitive planetary bodies.
Document ID
19870051638
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Epstein, S.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Krishnamurthy, R. V.
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, United States)
Cronin, J. R.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Pizzarello, S.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Yuen, G. U.
(Arizona State University Tempe, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
April 2, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 326
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
87A38912
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7255
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-46
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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