Organic matter in extraterrestrial water-bearing salt crystals

2018/01/05 by Q. H. S. Chan, M. E. Zolensky, Yoko Kebukawa +10 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Astro and Planetary Science #Planetary Science and Exploration #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils

paper · pdf · doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao3521

openalex publication_date 2018/01/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

N, such as ammonia and amino acids. The amino acid content of the Zag halite deviates from the meteorite matrix, supporting an exogenic origin of the halite, and therefore, the Zag meteorite contains organics synthesized on two distinct parent bodies. Our study suggests that the asteroidal parent body where the halite precipitated, potentially asteroid 1 Ceres, shows evidence for a complex combination of biologically and prebiologically relevant molecules.

Citations

• Localized sources of water vapour on the dwarf planet (1) Ceres
• Shock synthesis of amino acids from impacting cometary and icy planet surface analogues
• Life in extreme environments
• Interpretation of Raman spectra of disordered and amorphous carbon

Cited by

• Meteorite [wikipedia]
• Panspermia [wikipedia]