Category: Uncategorized

SUBSURFACE ALTERNATIVE. “Based on the studies cited above, an additional mechanism supporting subsurface life could be direct organic synthesis induced by Galactic cosmic rays-induced secondary particles, especially muons at greater depths. There is experimental evidence of the formation of amino acid precursors on exposure to high-energy particles. This mechanism could be especially important in the case of comets, as cosmic ray-induced ionization is believed to be the main driver of cometary organic chemistry.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

SURFACE FLAW OF EARLY STUDIES. “One common feature of these studies is that they all consider organic synthesis on the surface, which is true for high-energy photons such as UV, X-rays and low energy protons (approx. keV to MeV). However, for higher energy particles such as Galactic cosmic rays whose energies are approximately 10 GeV and beyond, the secondary particles penetrate below the surface. Particles such as electrons, positrons, neutrons and photons produced in interactions have very short ranges and are confined in a relatively small volume. Particles with the highest range are muons as shown in figure 2 and are the primary source of Galactic cosmic rays-induced radiation in such environments.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

THEORETICAL SUPPORT. “Garrod & Herbst conducted charged particle-induced photodissociation calculations to model chemical changes from interstellar radiation field and Galactic cosmic rays and reported the production of complex chemicals such as formic acid, methyl formate and dimethyl ether.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

CANDIDATE SPACE MOLECULES. “Other groups have also reported experimental evidence of the formation of amino acid precursors on exposure to high-energy particles. Kobayashi et al. irradiated several ice mixtures composed of methane, CO and ammonia with high-energy protons. The results of quadrupole mass spectrometry and ion exchange chromatography showed the formation of amino acids, such as glycine and alanine, and some hydrocarbons.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

SPACE SIMULATIONS. “Earlier experiments of Bernstein et al. were conducted with a larger temperature range (12–300 K), and in addition to the above-mentioned products, they discovered hexamethylenetetramine (C6H12N4), ethers, alcohols, compounds related to polyoxymethylene, ketones and amides in their samples. Their subsequent experiments showed the formation of aroma-bearing ketones and carbolylic acid functional groups.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

SPACE CHEMISTRY. “Hudson & Moore irradiated different mixtures of water and CO (carbon monoxide) with 0.8 MeV protons at temperatures near 16 K in order to simulate interstellar conditions. The results of isotopic substitution and IR spectroscopy showed the formation of several hydrocarbons such as HCOOH, HCO−, H2CO and CH3OH.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

GALACTIC COSMIC RAY CHEMISTRY. “Some authors have proposed that high-energy particles could produce the amino acid glycine on extraterrestrial ices. It is proposed that biologically useful products, using a similar mechanism, can be produced in subsurface environments by Galactic cosmic rays-induced secondaries. Charged particles directly interact with ice and produce a number of biologically useful secondary products.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

LIFE AS WE DON’T KNOW IT. “Underground water or other fluid sources, in combination with flux of secondary particles can provide a stable self-sustained environment for life to exist. Low energy availability can produce organisms with a very slow metabolism. There is a possibility of an ecosystem thriving on this energy source based on other biochemical bases, and might necessitate alternative approaches to detect life ‘as we don't know it’ in subsurface environments on Earth and elsewhere.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

WATER ALTERNATIVES. “Life, as we know it, requires water, which is a neutral fluid and fits perfectly with temperature variations on Earth. However, other fluids might offer similar functionality in terms of being stable; they may provide transportation of essential nutrients and remain liquid for temperature ranges for that particular planet.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn

COSMIC RADIATION. “Life could evolve a variety of mechanisms to utilize such a large range of energy injected underground. It could produce molecular hydrogen and oxidants useful for life. Muons can both directly react with molecules present in the medium, and also indirectly through radiolysis products. A detailed description of all the chemical reactions including the intermediate steps can be found elsewhere.” https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2016.0459 View in LinkedIn