Organic synthesis in the atmosphere of Titan

Details Organic synthesis in the atmosphere of Titan Organic synthesis in the atmosphere of Titan

Oct 1981

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1981natur.293..725g&link_type=abstract

Nature, vol. 293, Oct. 29, 1981, p. 725-727.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

50

Atmospheric Chemistry, Atmospheric Composition, Organic Compounds, Satellite Atmospheres, Synthesis (Chemistry), Titan, Acetylene, Amino Acids, Atmospheric Models, Gas Mixtures, Hydrocarbons, Methane, Nitrogen, Planetology, Radiation Effects, Reaction Products, Experiments, Simulations, Procedure, Saturn, Satellites, Titan, Models, Atmosphere, Organic Compounds, Synthesis, Structure, Methane, Abundance, Dynamics, Voyager 1, Radio Astronomy, Infrared, Ultraviolet, Pressure, Wavelengths, Observations, Composi

Scientific paper

Experimental simulations of organic chemistry taking place in the atmosphere of Titan are presented in light of the recent atmospheric composition data provided by the Voyager spacecraft. In the experiments, a gas mixture of N2 and CH4 in proportions from about 100:1 to 100:4 was irradiated by UV radiation, electric discharges, an electron beam, gamma radiation and a proton beam to assess the possible contributions of the various possible energy sources to atmospheric chemistry on Titan. Analysis of reaction products by GC/MS reveals UV light to produce saturated hydrocarbons such as C2H6 and C3H8 but no appreciable amounts of unsaturated hydrocarbons or nitrogen-containing compounds. Electric discharges and gamma, beta and proton radiation, however, are found to produce HCN and more unsaturated than saturated hydrocarbons. Acetylene is believed to be produced from ethane or ethylene in methanephotolysis, while HCN may be produced from CH2 radicals. The presence of HCN on Titan is interpreted as implying that the chemical processes postulated as involved in the formation of bases and amino acids on the primitive earth may be common in the solar system.

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