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Conception of the 'Chirality-Experiment' on ESA's mission ROSETTA to comet P46/Wirtanen
W H Thiemann1, H Rosenbauer, U J Meierhenrich
1Dept. Phys. Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobenerstrasse, D-28359 Bremen, Germany.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|October 20, 2001
Summary
Investigating extraterrestrial origins of life's chirality, the COSAC experiment on ROSETTA will analyze cometary matter. Gas chromatography will separate enantiomers, aiding research into the first asymmetric synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology and Organic Chemistry
- Planetary Science and Astrobiology
Background:
- Extraterrestrial scenarios for homochirality origin, including polarized radiation and magnetic fields, are actively debated.
- Previous studies proposed neutron stars and interstellar dust as sources of enantioselectivity.
- The origin of biomolecular asymmetry remains a fundamental question in science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate extraterrestrial hypotheses for the origin of biological homochirality.
- To analyze organic molecules in cometary matter for chiral signatures.
- To contribute to understanding the first asymmetric synthesis events.
Main Methods:
- Development and participation in the ROSETTA mission's COSAC Experiment.
- Utilizing a 'Chirality Module' for gas chromatographic separation of enantiomers.
- Employing capillary columns with chiral stationary phases for enantiomeric separation.
- Detection using thermal conductivity and mass spectrometry to quantify enantiomers and enantiomeric excess.
Main Results:
- Successful separation of chiral organic compounds from cometary samples is anticipated.
- Quantification of enantiomeric ratios will provide crucial data on asymmetry.
- The experiment is designed to yield far-reaching results on asymmetric synthesis hypotheses.
Conclusions:
- The COSAC Chirality Experiment offers a novel approach to test extraterrestrial chirality origins.
- In situ analysis of cometary matter can provide direct evidence for prebiotic enantioselection.
- Findings will significantly impact our understanding of life's origins and molecular asymmetry.