Exploring Organic Environments in the Solar System Book

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................1
I-The Chemistry of Carbon 1 BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC CARBON COMPOUNDS....................11
Carbon Compounds-Definitions and Characteristics,....................11
Determination of Molecular Origins,....................17
Criteria for Distinguishing Between Biotic and Abiotic Compounds,....................18
Notes,....................19
II-The Formation, Modification, and Preservation of Organic Compounds in the Solar System 2 INTERSTELLAR CHEMISTRY....................23
The Interstellar Medium,....................23
Protoplanetary Disks,....................29
Interplanetary and Interstellar Dust,....................32
Notes,....................34
3 METEORITES....................37
The Origin of Meteorites,....................37
Carbonaceous Chondrites: A Record of the Organic Chemical Evolution of the Early Solar System,....................38
Organic Carbon in Unequilibrated Ordinary Chondrites and Enstatite Chondrites,....................43
Martian Meteorites,....................44
Organic Matter in Meteorites: Recommendations,....................45
Increasing the Supply of Meteorites Available for Study,....................46
Notes,....................48
4 PRIMITIVE BODIES....................52
Formation and Dynamical Regimes,....................52
Measurement Techniques-Organics,....................53
Synthesis and Destruction of Organic Materials,....................53
Organic Inventory,....................56
Summary of Past, Present, and Planned Missions: Implications for Carbon Studies,....................63
Future ResearchDirections,....................67
Notes,....................69
5 THE GIANT PLANETS AND THEIR SATELLITES....................72
Large Satellites of the Outer Solar System,....................72
The Giant Planets,....................79
Notes,....................82
6 THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS....................85
Inventory of Organic Compounds on the Terrestrial Planets,....................86
Mechanisms for Formation of Organic Compounds on the Terrestrial Planets,....................90
Terrestrial Planets: Recommendations,....................95
Notes,....................97
III-Exploration: Where to Go and What to Study 7 APPROACHES TO RESEARCH....................103
General Strategies,....................104
Selected Opportunities for Research,....................105
Note,....................105
APPENDIX: Glossary....................107