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Adenine synthesis at Titan atmosphere analog by soft X-rays

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2010

Sergio Pilling
Affiliation:
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), 22453-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Instituto de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP), 12244-000, São Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil
Diana P. P. Andrade
Affiliation:
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), 22453-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Instituto de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP), 12244-000, São Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil
Alvaro C. Neto
Affiliation:
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil
Roberto Rittner
Affiliation:
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil
Arnaldo N. de Brito
Affiliation:
Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS), 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Abstract

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In this work, we investigate the possible effects produced by soft X-rays (and secondary electrons) on Titan aerosol analogs in an attempt to simulate some prebiotic photochemistry. The experiments have been performed inside a high vacuum chamber coupled to the soft X-ray spectroscopy beamline at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source (LNLS). In-situ sample analysis were performed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The infrared spectra have presented several organic molecules, including nitriles and aromatic CN compounds. After the irradiation, the brownish-orange organic residue was analyzed ex-situ by gas chromatographic technique revealing the presence of adenine (C5H5N5), one of the constituents of the DNA molecule.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2010

References

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