VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOABSORPTION SPECTRA OF NITRILE ICES FOR THEIR IDENTIFICATION ON PLUTO
- Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, 380 009 (India)
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan (China)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, BARC at RRCAT, Indore, 452 013 (India)
- International Space University, F-67400 Illkirch (France)
Icy bodies, such as Pluto, are known to harbor simple and complex molecules. The recent New Horizons flyby of Pluto has revealed a complex surface composed of bright and dark ice surfaces, indicating a rich chemistry based on nitrogen (N{sub 2}), methane (CH{sub 4}), and carbon monoxide (CO). Nitrile (CN) containing molecules such as acetonitrile (CH{sub 3}CN), propionitrile (CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}CN), butyronitrile (CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}CN), and isobutyronitrile ((CH{sub 3}){sub 2}CHCN) are some of the nitrile molecules that are known to be synthesized by radiative processing of such simple ices. Through the provision of a spectral atlas for such compounds we propose that such nitriles may be identified from the ALICE payload on board New Horizons .
- OSTI ID:
- 22666091
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 825, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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