Abstract
A fundamental goal of a number of forthcoming space missions is the detection and characterization of organic matter on planetary surfaces. Successful interpretation of data generated by in situ experiments will require discrimination between abiogenic and biogenic organic compounds. Carbon-rich meteorites provide scientists with examples of authentic extraterrestrial organic matter generated in the absence of life. Outcomes of meteorite studies include clues to protocols that will enable the unequivocal identification of organic matter derived from life. In this chapter we summarize the diagnostic abiogenic features of key compound classes involved in life detection and discuss their implications for analytical instruments destined to fly on future spacecraft missions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
O. Botta, J.L. Bada, Surv. Geophys. 23, 411–467 (2002)
S. Chang, R. Mack, K. Lennon, Lunar Planet. Sci. 9, 157–159 (1978)
I. Cherchneff, J.R. Barker, A.G.G.M. Tielens, Astrophys. J. 401, 269–287 (1992)
C. Chyba, C. Sagan, Nature 355, 125–132 (1992)
G. Cooper, N. Kimmich, W. Belisle, J. Sarinana, K. Brabham, L. Garrel, Nature 414, 879–883 (2001)
G.W. Cooper, W.M. Onwo, J.R. Cronin, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56, 4109–4115 (1992)
G.W. Cooper, M.H. Thiemens, T.L. Jackson, S. Chang, Science 277, 1072–1074 (1997)
J.R. Cronin, S. Chang, in Chemistry of Life’s Origins, ed. by J.M. Greenburg, V. Pirronello (Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1993), pp. 209–258
J.R. Cronin, S. Pizzarello, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 50, 2419–2427 (1986)
J.R. Cronin, S. Pizzarello, Science 275, 951–955 (1997)
J.R. Cronin, S. Pizzarello, D.P. Cruikshank, in Meteorites and the Early Solar System, ed. by J.F. Kerridge, M.S. Matthews (P. Univ. Ariz, Tucson, 1988)
L. d’Hendecourt, P. Ehrenfreund, Life Sciences: Complex Organics in Space. Advances in Space Research, vol. 19 (Pergamon Press Ltd, Oxford, 1997), pp. 1023–1032
M.H. Engel, B. Nagy, Nature 296, 837–840 (1982)
R. Hayatsu, E. Anders, M.H. Studier, L.P. Moore, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39, 471–488 (1975)
G. Jungclaus, J.R. Cronin, C.B. Moore, G.U. Yuen, Nature 261, 126–128 (1976a)
G.A. Jungclaus, G.U. Yuen, C.B. Moore, J.G. Lawless, Meteoritics 11, 231–237 (1976b)
J.F. Kasting, Science 259, 920–926 (1993)
T. Kawasaki, K. Hatasea, Y. Fujiia, K. Joa, K. Soaia, S. Pizzarello, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 70, 5395–5402 (2006)
K. Kvenvolden, J. Lawless, K. Pering, E. Peterson, J. Flores, C. Ponnamperuma, I.R. Kaplan, C. Moore, Nature 228, 928–926 (1970)
J.G. Lawless, G.U. Yuen, Nature 282, 396–398 (1979)
J.G. Lawless, B. Zeitman, W.E. Pereira, R.E. Summons, A.M. Duffield, Nature 251, 40–42 (1974)
S.G. Love, D.E. Brownlee, Science 262, 550–553 (1993)
M. Maurette, J. Dupart, C. Engrand, M. Gounelle, G. Kurat, G. Matrajt, A. Toppani, Planet. Space Sci. 48, 1117–1137 (2000)
G.D. McDonald, M.C. Storrie-Lombardi, Astrobiology 6, 17–33 (2006)
D.S. McKay, E.K. Gibson, K.L. Thomas-Keprta, H. Vali, C.S. Romanek, S.J. Clemett, D.F. Chillier, C.R. Maechling, R.N. Zare, Science 273, 924–930 (1996)
U.J. Meierhenrich, G.M. Munoz Caro, J.H. Bredehoft, E.K. Jessberger, W.H.P. Thiemann, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101, 9182–9186 (2004)
J. Oró, Nature 190, 389–390 (1961)
E.T. Peltzer, J.L. Bada, G. Schlesinger, S.L. Miller, Adv. Space Res. 4, 69–74 (1984)
K.L. Pering, C. Ponnamperuma, Science 173, 237–239 (1971)
S. Pizzarello, J.R. Cronin, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 329–338 (2000)
S. Pizzarello, X. Feng, S. Epstein, J.R. Cronin, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 58, 5579–5587 (1994)
S. Pizzarello, M. Zolensky, K.A. Turk, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 67, 1589–1595 (2003)
M.A. Sephton, C.T. Pillinger, I. Gilmour, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 62, 1821–1828 (1998)
M.A. Sephton, C.T. Pillinger, I. Gilmour, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 321–328 (2000)
M.A. Sephton, A.B. Verchovsky, P.A. Bland, I. Gilmour, M.M. Grady, I.P. Wright, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 67, 2093–2108 (2003)
M.A. Sephton, G.D. Love, J.S. Watson, A.B. Verchovsky, I.P. Wright, C.E. Snape, I. Gilmour, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68, 1385–1393 (2004)
A. Shimoyama, H. Katsumata, Chem. Lett. 3, 202–203 (2001)
A.M. Skelley, J.R. Scherer, A.D. Aubrey, W.H. Grover, R.H.C. Ivester, P. Ehrenfreund, F.J. Grunthaner, J.L. Bada, R.A. Mathies, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 1041–1046 (2004)
L.E. Snyder, D. Buhl, B. Zuckerman, P. Palmer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 22(13), 679–681 (1969)
P.G. Stoks, A.W. Schwartz, Nature 282(5740), 709–710 (1979)
P.G. Stoks, A.W. Schwartz, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 45, 563–569 (1981a)
P.G. Stoks, A.W. Schwartz, in Proc. 6th Internatl. Conf. on the Origin of Life, ed. by Y. Wolman (Reidel, Dordrecht, 1981b), pp. 59–64
P.G. Stoks, A.W. Schwartz, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 46, 309–315 (1982)
M.G. Trainer, A.A. Pavlov, H.L. DeWitt, J.L. Jimenez, C.P. McKay, O.B. Toon, M.A. Tolbert, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103, 18035–18042 (2006)
O. Vandenabeele-Trambouze, M. Claeys-Bruno, M. Dobrijevic, C. Rodier, G. Borruat, A. Commeyras, L. Garrelly, Astrobiology 5, 48–65 (2005)
G. Yuen, N. Blair, D.J. DesMarias, S. Chang, Nature 307, 252–254 (1984)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sephton, M.A., Botta, O. Extraterrestrial Organic Matter and the Detection of Life. Space Sci Rev 135, 25–35 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-007-9171-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-007-9171-9