Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-03-26
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4 pages, 2 figures. To be published in the Proceedings of the IAU-251 symposium - Organic Mater in Space, Hong Kong, China (20
Scientific paper
10.1017/S1743921308021996
We present experimental studies on the photoionization and photodissociation processes (photodestruction) of gaseous amino acids and nucleobases in interstellar and interplanetary radiation conditions analogs. The measurements have been undertaken at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), employing vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-ray photons. The experimental set up basically consists of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer kept under high vacuum conditions. Mass spectra were obtained using photoelectron photoion coincidence technique. We have shown that the amino acids are effectively more destroyed (up to 70-80%) by the stellar radiation than the nucleobases, mainly in the VUV. Since polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have the same survival capability and seem to be ubiquitous in the ISM, it is not unreasonable to predict that nucleobases could survive in the interstellar medium and/or in comets, even as a stable cation.
Andrade Diana P. P.
Boechat-Roberty Heloisa M.
Cavasso-Filho R. L.
Coutinho L. H.
de Brito Arnaldo Naves
No associations
LandOfFree
Survival of gas phase amino acids and nucleobases in space radiation conditions 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 Survival of gas phase amino acids and nucleobases in space radiation conditions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Survival of gas phase amino acids and nucleobases in space radiation conditions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-50064