Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:12
Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
Published on: May 16, 2016
Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon in interplanetary dust particles and meteorites
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 3, 1987
Summary
Interplanetary dust particles and meteorites contain carbonaceous material similar to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These findings suggest PAHs in space may form in stellar dust shells and undergo minimal interstellar modification.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Cosmochemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and meteorites are extraterrestrial materials.
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic molecules found in space.
- PAHs are hypothesized to be responsible for interstellar infrared emission features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and origin of carbonaceous material in IDPs and meteorites.
- To compare the spectral properties of IDPs and meteorites with interstellar PAH signatures.
- To explore the potential extraterrestrial origin of PAHs.
Main Methods:
- Raman spectroscopy of IDPs and meteorites.
- Analysis of photoluminescence spectra.
- Measurement of deuterium to hydrogen ratios in carbonaceous phases.
Main Results:
- Raman spectra of IDPs and meteorites exhibit features similar to interstellar PAH emission.
- Red photoluminescence observed in some IDPs matches astronomical observations attributed to PAHs.
- IDPs and meteorites show higher deuterium to hydrogen ratios than terrestrial samples, consistent with UV-irradiated interstellar PAHs.
Conclusions:
- Carbonaceous material in IDPs and meteorites shares similarities with interstellar PAHs.
- These findings support the hypothesis that PAHs form in circumstellar dust shells.
- The material likely undergoes limited modification in interstellar space before incorporation into dust particles and meteorites.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and refractory oxide ion...
01:25Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In general, the term ‘aromatic’ indicates a pleasant smell or fragrance from fresh flowers, freshly prepared coffee, etc. In the early history of organic chemistry, many benzene derivatives were isolated from the pleasant odor oils of the plants. For example, vanillin was isolated from the oil of vanilla, methyl salicylate from the oil of wintergreen, and cinnamaldehyde from the oil of cinnamon. They all had a pleasant odor; hence the name aromatic was given.
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
02:06Conditions on Early Earth
Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.
01:13Five-Membered Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds: Overview
Heterocyclic aromatic compounds are cyclic compounds that are aromatic and have one or more heteroatoms—atoms other than carbon, in the ring. Depending upon the number of atoms present in the ring, they can be either five or six-membered. Examples of five-membered heterocyclic aromatic compounds include pyrrole, furan, thiophene, and imidazole. Pyrrole consists of one nitrogen atom having one lone pair of electrons. Furan and thiophene have one oxygen and one sulfur heteroatom, respectively.
01:24Microbes and the Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle is a fundamental Earth process involving the transfer of carbon among the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. It plays a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through various chemical forms and reservoirs. Carbon primarily circulates as carbon dioxide (CO₂), representing its oxidized form, while reduced forms such as methane (CH₄) and organic compounds also play essential roles.Microbial activity is central to...
03:02Organic Compounds
All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...