Exploring organic environments in the solar system / Task Group on Organic Environments in the Solar System, Space Studies Board, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences and Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Task Group on Organic Environments in the Solar System.

Contributor:

National Academies Press (U.S.)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Organic compounds--Synthesis--Environmental aspects.

Organic compounds.

Solar system.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (124 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The sources, distributions, and transformation of organic compounds in the solar system are active study areas as a means to provide information about the evolution of the solar system and the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe. There are many organic synthesis processes, however, and ambiguity surrounds the relative effectiveness of these processes in explaining the distribution of organic compounds in the solar system. As a consequence, NASA directed the NRC to determine what processes account for the reduced carbon compounds found throughout the solar system and to examine how planetary exploration can advance understanding of this central issue. This report presents a discussion of the chemistry of carbon; an analysis of the formation, modification, and preservation of organic compounds in the solar system; and an assessment of research opportunities and strategies for enhancing our understanding of organic material in the solar system.

Contents:

""Front Matter""; ""Preface""; ""Contents""; ""Executive Summary""; ""I The Chemistry of Carbon""; ""1 Biotic and Abiotic Carbon Compounds""; ""II The Formation, Modification, and Preservation of Organic Compounds in the Solar System""; ""2 Interstellar Chemistry""; ""3 Meteorites""; ""4 Primitive Bodies""; ""5 The Giant Planets and Their Satellites""; ""6 The Terrestrial Planets""; ""III�Exploration: Where to Go and What to Study""; ""7 Approaches to Research""; ""Appendix Glossary""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610844432

9781280844430

1280844434

9780309661867

0309661862

OCLC:

923276736