Experimental simulation of early Martian volcanic lightning. |
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| Authors: | A Segura R Navarro-Gonzalez |
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| Institution: | Laboratorio de Quimica de Plasmas y Estudios Planetarios, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Circuito Exterior C.U., A. Postal 70-543, 04510 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. antigona@nuclecu.unam.mx |
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| Abstract: | A mixture of possible Martian volcanic gases were reproduced and irradiated by a high-energy infrared laser to reproduce the effects of lightning on the production of prebiotic molecules. The analysis of products were performed by a gas chromatograph interfaced in parallel with a FTIR-detector and a quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electron impact and chemical ionization modes. The main products identified were hydrocarbons and an uncharacterized yellow film deposit. Preliminary results indicate the presence of hydrogen cyanide among the resultant compounds. |
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