Processing of methane and acetylene ices by galactic cosmic rays and implications to the color diversity of Kuiper Belt objects.

ABSTRACT: Kuiper Belt objects exhibit a wider color range than any other solar system population. The origin of this color diversity is unknown, but likely the result of the prolonged irradiation of organic materials by galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Here, we combine ultrahigh-vacuum irradiation experiments with comprehensive spectroscopic analyses to examine the color evolution during GCR processing methane and acetylene under Kuiper Belt conditions. This study replicates the colors of a population of Kuiper Belt objects such as Makemake, Orcus, and Salacia. Aromatic structural units carrying up to three rings as in phenanthrene (C₁₄H₁₀), phenalene (C₉H₁₀), and acenaphthylene (C₁₂H₈), of which some carry structural motives of DNA and R

SUBMITTER: Zhang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10413643 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature