Ion irradiation of TNO surface analogue ice mixtures: the chemistry

Vis-NIR spectra of some Centaurs and Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) indicate surfaces rich in H_2O, N_2, CO_2, CH_4 e CH_3OH. Cosmic ion irradiation is one of the processes driving the evolution of TNO surfaces. A main role is played by the chemistry induced by colliding ions; many molecular bonds a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ioppolo, Sergio
Format: Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Journal of the Italian Astronomical Society Supplements 2007
Subjects:
Carbonic acid
Online Access:https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/ion-irradiation-of-tno-surface-analogue-ice-mixtures-the-chemistry(6b4c4c04-97e9-4069-affc-a816c50eadd6).html
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007MSAIS.11.185B/abstract
http://sait.oat.ts.astro.it/MSAIS/11/PDF/185.pdf
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Summary:Vis-NIR spectra of some Centaurs and Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) indicate surfaces rich in H_2O, N_2, CO_2, CH_4 e CH_3OH. Cosmic ion irradiation is one of the processes driving the evolution of TNO surfaces. A main role is played by the chemistry induced by colliding ions; many molecular bonds are broken along the ion track, and this may lead to the formation of byproduct molecules. Starting from laboratory experiments, it is possible to infer the presence of molecules still undetected on TNOs. For instance, carbonic acid (H_2CO_3) is produced after irradiation of H_2O:CO_2 icy mixtures, while irradiation of H_2O:N_2 icy mixtures causes the production of N_2O, NO, and NO_2. From H_2O:CH_4:N_2 mixtures, many species are formed, such as CO, CO_2, HCN, HNCO, N_2O, and molecules including CN bonds. Moreover, ion irradiation may modify the relative intensity of NIR features, as in the case of solid methanol, whose 2.34 mu m band decreases in intensity with respect to the 2.27 mu m band, after increasing irradiation doses. We suggest that this effect may be observed on Centaur Pholus.

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