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Prebiotic Chemistry of Pluto.

D P Cruikshank1, C K Materese2, Y J Pendleton1

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|March 26, 2019
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Summary

Complex organic molecules, including amino acids and nucleobases, likely formed abiotically on Pluto. These molecules, identified as tholins, are present on the surface and in subsurface regions, suggesting widespread organic chemistry in the outer Solar System.

Keywords:
IceNucleobasePlutoTholin

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Planetary Science
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Pluto's surface exhibits a range of colors (yellow to dark brown) consistent with laboratory-produced organic residues known as tholins.
  • Tholins are complex macromolecular organic solids with aromatic structures, synthesized in laboratory experiments simulating planetary atmospheric and surface ice conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present evidence for the abiotic formation of complex organic molecules, such as amino acids and nucleobases, on Pluto's surface and near-subsurface regions.
  • To investigate the origin and composition of tholins observed on Pluto and their implications for organic chemistry in the outer Solar System.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of spectral data from Pluto to identify surface composition and color variations.
  • Laboratory experiments simulating Pluto's surface ice composition (N2, CH4, CO) subjected to photolysis and radiolysis to synthesize organic compounds.
  • Laboratory experiments involving pyrimidines and purines in H2O-NH3 ice to form nucleobases.

Main Results:

  • Pluto's surface colors match laboratory-produced tholins.
  • Tholins are found in both gas- and solid-phase on Pluto, with a distinct variety observed at Virgil Fossae, suggesting subsurface origin.
  • Photolysis and radiolysis experiments produced complex, nitrogen-rich organic compounds similar to those found on Pluto.
  • Experiments successfully synthesized biologically relevant nucleobases (guanine, cytosine, adenine, uracil, thymine) from relevant precursors.

Conclusions:

  • Abiotic processes likely formed complex organic molecules, including amino acids and nucleobases, on Pluto.
  • The presence of tholins and nucleobases on Pluto indicates significant organic chemistry occurring on this outer Solar System body.
  • Similar organic materials may exist on other Kuiper Belt Objects, highlighting the importance of studying organic molecule origins and evolution across diverse astronomical settings.