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2004•Astronomy & GeophysicsRequires access

Organic matter in ancient meteorites

Mark A. Sephton

Open publisher page 38 citations

Abstract

Organic matter in Fragments of ancient meteorites are cosmic time capsules, holding records of the first chemical steps towards life.Mark A Sephton explains what they have revealed so far and discusses what secrets they may yet still hold.1: The journey from interstellar space to the laboratory, illustrated in pictures.(a) The Eagle Nebula is a molecular cloud where stars are being born and a rich interstellar chemistry is taking place (NASA).(b) A solar nebula around Beta Pictoris where organic chemistry is taking place similar to that which occurred as our solar system was born (NASA).(c) Mathilde, a member of the C-type asteroids that have remained relatively unchanged since the birth of the solar system and which may be the parent bodies for the carbonaceous chondrites (NASA).

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What this paper is about

Organic matter in Fragments of ancient meteorites are cosmic time capsules, holding records of the first chemical steps towards life.Mark A Sephton explains what they have revealed so far and discusses what secrets they may yet still hold.1: The journey from interstellar space to the laboratory, illustrated in pictures.(a) The Eagle Nebula is a molecular cloud where stars are being born and a rich interstellar chemistry is taking place (NASA).(b) A solar nebula around Beta Pictoris where organic chemistry is taking place similar to that which occurred as our solar system was born (NASA).(c) Mathilde, a member of the C-type asteroids that have remained relatively unchanged since the birth of the solar system and which may be the parent bodies for the carbonaceous chondrites (NASA).

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Available abstract

Organic matter in Fragments of ancient meteorites are cosmic time capsules, holding records of the first chemical steps towards life.Mark A Sephton explains what they have revealed so far and discusses what secrets they may yet still hold.1: The journey from interstellar space to the laboratory, illustrated in pictures.(a) The Eagle Nebula is a molecular cloud where stars are being born and a rich interstellar chemistry is taking place (NASA).(b) A solar nebula around Beta Pictoris where organic chemistry is taking place similar to that which occurred as our solar system was born (NASA).(c) Mathilde, a member of the C-type asteroids that have remained relatively unchanged since the birth of the solar system and which may be the parent bodies for the carbonaceous chondrites (NASA).

Key concepts: Meteorite, Astrobiology, Asteroid, Extraterrestrial life, Chondrite, Solar System, Organic molecules, Abiogenesis

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