Mass Spectrometry Helps Identify Molecular Composition of Meteorites
Written by AZoOpticsApr 6 2021
In an effort to find the origin of carbonaceous chondrites the insoluble organic matter constituting the Murchison and Allende meteorites researchers from Russia and Germany investigated their molecular composition.
Сarbonaceous chondrite and its sulfur chemistry. Image Credit: Skoltech.
Using ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry, the team unraveled an extensive diversity of chemical compositions and unpredicted similarities between meteorites from various groups. The study has been published in the journal
Scientific Reports.
Carbonaceous chondrites are made of almost the whole spectrum of organic molecules found on Earth, such as nucleic acids that could have had a crucial role in the evolution of life.
Credit: Skoltech
Scientists from Russia and Germany studied the molecular composition of carbonaceous chondrites - the insoluble organic matter of the Murchison and Allende meteorites - in an attempt to identify their origin. Ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry revealed a wide diversity of chemical compositions and unexpected similarities between meteorites from different groups. The research was published in the
Scientific Reports.
Carbonaceous chondrites contain nearly the entire spectrum of organic molecules encountered on Earth, including nucleic acids which might have played a pivotal role in the origin of life. Since the majority of modern meteorites are of nearly the same age as the Earth, their composition should be similar to that of meteorites that bombarded the Earth s surface in ancient times. Just like comets, they can be considered a source of organic compounds which most likely formed the core of the Earth s biosphere.