Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon in interplanetary dust particles and meteorites

Journal Article · Fri Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.237.4810.56· OSTI ID:6159458

Allamandola, L J; Sandford, S A; Wopenka, B

Both interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and meteorites may contain material that is similar to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The Raman spectra of IDPs and meteorites show features that are similar in position and relative strength to interstellar infrared emission features that have been attributed to vibrational transitions in free, molecular-sized PAHs. The Raman spectra of some IDPs also show red photoluminescence that is similar to the excess red emission seen in some astronomical objects and that has also been attributed to PAHs and hydrogenated amorphous carbon. Moreover, a part of the carbonaceous phase in IDPs and meteorites contains deuterium to hydrogen ratios that are greater than those for terrestrial samples. Deuterium enrichment is expected in small free PAHs that are exposed to ultraviolet radiation in the interstellar medium. Taken together, these observations suggest that some of the carbonaceous material in IDPs and meteorites may have been produced in circumstellar dust shells and only slightly modified in interstellar space. 35 references, 3 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
• OSTI ID: 6159458
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 237; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AROMATICS
CARBON
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
DEUTERIUM
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
METEORITES
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RAMAN SPECTRA
SPACE
SPECTRA
STABLE ISOTOPES