Experimental laboratory simulation of Titan’s atmosphere: aerosols and gas phase

Coll, Patrice; Coscia, David; Smith, Nicholas S.; Gazeau, M.‐C.; Ramírez, Sandra I.; Cernogora, Guy; Israël, G.; Raulin, F.

doi:10.1016/s0032-0633(99)00054-9

Cited by 223 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…But it needs to be stated that our accurate mass measurements and MS/MS spectra support aliphatic polyaminonitriles as a main constituent of tholin. This is consistent with the low mass (Ͻ100 Da) GC/MS studies of Coll et al which identify primarily aliphatic material where nitrogen is identified only in nitrile°functionality° [31].…”

Section: Ms/ms Measurementssupporting

confidence: 90%

Organic environments on Saturn’s moon, Titan: Simulating chemical reactions and analyzing products by FT-ICR and ion-trap mass spectrometry

Somogyi

Smith

et al. 2005

J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.

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Laboratory simulations have been carried out to model chemical reactions that possibly take place in the stratosphere of Saturn's moon, Titan. The aerosol products of these reactions (tholin samples) have been systematically analyzed by mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization (ESI) and laser desorption (LD). A wide variety of ions with a general formula C x H y N z detected by ultrahigh resolution and accurate mass measurements in a Fourier transform/ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) cell reflect the complexity of these polymeric products, both in chemical compositions and isomeric distributions. As a common feature, however, tandem mass spectral (MS/MS) data and H/D exchange products in the solution phase support the presence of amino and nitrile functionalities in these (highly unsaturated) "tholin" compounds. The present work demonstrates that ESI-MS coupled with FT-ICR is a suitable and "intact" method to analyze tholin components formed under anaerobic conditions; only species with C x H y N z are detected for freshly prepared and harvested samples. However, when intentionally exposed to water, oxygen-containing compounds are unambiguously detected. (J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2005, 16, 850 -859)

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Section: Ms/ms Measurementssupporting

confidence: 90%

Organic environments on Saturn’s moon, Titan: Simulating chemical reactions and analyzing products by FT-ICR and ion-trap mass spectrometry

Somogyi

Smith

et al. 2005

J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.

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“…Vuitton et al (2007) and later Vuitton et al (2009b) showed significant abundances of polyynes (C2H2, C4H 2, C6H 2, C, H 2) in Titan's atmosphere at 1100 km using a photochemical model constrained by INMS ion measurements. In Vuitton et al (2007) they also note that the abundance for the higher carbon chain polyynes within Titan's atmosphere did not decrease as fast as that in other photochemical models (Yung et al, 1984;Toublanc et al, 1995;Wilson and Atreya, 2004), the ISM (MacLeod et al, 1984;Remijan et al, 2006;Cernicharo et al, 2001) and/or laboratory measurements (Coll et al, 1999) as the number of carbon atoms increased in the carbon chain. It is also well known, as discussed in Thaddeus (1994Thaddeus ( , 1994Thaddeus ( , 1995 and Vuitton et al (2007), that unsaturated polyynes can polymerize into long carbon linear chains from which fullerenes can form (Hunter, 1994;Thaddeus, 1994Thaddeus, , 1995.…”

Section: Fullerenes Versus Pahsmentioning

confidence: 72%

Heavy ion formation in Titan's ionosphere: Magnetospheric introduction of free oxygen and a source of Titan's aerosols?

Sittler

Ali

Cooper

et al. 2009

Planetary and Space Science

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“…The energy sources used in the laboratory are proxies for the solar irradiation and the precipitation of magnetospheric electrons. Those natural sources are reproduced in the laboratory by UV photon fluxes Imanaka and Smith 2010;Trainer et al 2012;Tran et al 2008;Trainer et al 2006) and/or by plasma discharges (Somogyi et al 2005;Coll et al 1999;Horvath et al 2009;Imanaka et al 2004;Hörst and Tolbert 2013). Pressure and temperature are strongly dependent on the experiments, and can hardly reproduce the whole range and extreme conditions occurring in real atmospheres.…”

Section: Simulation Facilities For Organic Aerosols In Planetary Atmomentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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Experimental laboratory simulation of Titan’s atmosphere: aerosols and gas phase

Cited by 223 publications

References 29 publications

Organic environments on Saturn’s moon, Titan: Simulating chemical reactions and analyzing products by FT-ICR and ion-trap mass spectrometry

Organic environments on Saturn’s moon, Titan: Simulating chemical reactions and analyzing products by FT-ICR and ion-trap mass spectrometry

Heavy ion formation in Titan's ionosphere: Magnetospheric introduction of free oxygen and a source of Titan's aerosols?

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

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