Production of hexamethylenetetramine in photolyzed and irradiated interstellar cometary ice analogs

Authors
Cottin, H Szopa, C Moore, MH
Citation
H. Cottin et al., Production of hexamethylenetetramine in photolyzed and irradiated interstellar cometary ice analogs, ASTROPHYS J, 561(1), 2001, pp. L139-L142
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0004637X → ACNP
Volume
561
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Part
2
Pages
L139 - L142
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-637X(20011101)561:1<L139:POHIPA>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
We report hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) detection in organic residues result ing from H2O : CO : CH3OH : NH3 ices submitted to UV photolysis or proton i rradiation. This is the first time HMT is detected after proton irradiation of an interstellar or cometary ice analog, whereas this molecule was suspe cted to be a characteristic signature of UV versus ion processing. This res ult strengthens the probability of HMT presence in the interstellar medium and in comets, where it may eventually be detected with the COSAC (COmetary Sampling And Composition) experiment on board the upcoming Rosetta mission .