Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.4007c&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #40.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.493
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The life on Mars remains an open question despite the Viking landers results and the ALH84001 possible terrestrial contamination. However recent data of Mars Express orbiter and the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity seem show different proofs of a past environment with liquid water and mild temperatures favorable for life. Among the biomarkers we seek, the organic molecules are primordial because they are necessary to the origin of life as we know it. However, these molecules (except methane recently discovered) have never been detected on Mars by the in situ analyzes of the Viking landers. A key question is to know if organic molecules are indeed present, in which concentration and under which form. Indeed, even if endogenous organic molecules were never synthesized, those brought by exogenous sources, like interplanetary dust, should be present in detectable amount. Moreover, the track of the endogenous organic molecules should not be dropped out because these molecules are able to resist over periods of several billion years without being degraded. It thus appears that organic molecules could be present at the surface of Mars, even if they have significant chances to undergo a partial or total chemical evolution. Within the framework of a search for organic molecules by present or future space experiments , we are developing the MOMIE project (Martian Organic Material Irradiation and Evolution) in order to determine how the organic species evolve on the Martian surface. We thus propose to implement this type of research with the assistance of an experimental setup designed for the study of the behavior of organic molecules under conditions simulating as close as possible conditions of Mars surface, and plan to present at 39th DPS our first results.
Coll Patrice
Cottin Hervé
Stalport Fabien
Szopa Cyril
No associations
LandOfFree
Study of Martian Organic Molecules Irradiation and Evolution: The Momie Experiment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Study of Martian Organic Molecules Irradiation and Evolution: The Momie Experiment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Study of Martian Organic Molecules Irradiation and Evolution: The Momie Experiment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1111043