Evolution of organic molecules under Mars-like UV radiation conditions in space and laboratory

Laura Rouquette (1) , Fabien Stalport (1) , Hervé Cottin (1) , Patrice Coll (1) , Cyril Szopa (2) , Kafila Saiagh (1) , Olivier Poch (3) , Diana Khalaf (1) , Didier Chaput (4) , Katia Grira (1) , Tristan Dequaire (1)

1 LISA (UMR_7583) - Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques
2 PLANETO - LATMOS
3 Physikalisches Institut [Bern]
4 CNES - Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse]

The detection and identification of organic molecules at Mars are of prime importance, as some of these molecules are life precursors and components. While in situ planetary missions are searching for them, it is essential to understand how organic molecules evolve and are preserved at the surface of Mars. Indeed the harsh conditions of the environment of Mars such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation or oxidative processes could explain the low abundance and diversity of organic molecules detected by now [1]. In order to get a better understanding of the evolution of organic matter at the surface of Mars, we exposed organic molecules under a Mars-like UV radiation environment. Similar organic samples were exposed to the Sun radiation, outside the International Space Station (ISS), and under a UV lamp (martian pressure and temperature conditions) in the laboratory.

Domains: Astrophysics [astro-ph]; Solar and Stellar Astrophysics [astro-ph.SR]

Laura Rouquette, Fabien Stalport, Hervé Cottin, Patrice Coll, Cyril Szopa, et al.. Evolution of organic molecules under Mars-like UV radiation conditions in space and laboratory. European Planetary Science Congress 2017, Sep 2017, Riga, Latvia. pp.EPSC2017-279. ⟨insu-01592341⟩