MSL - SAM and CHEMIN, Discussion of the science/results from these instruments |
MSL - SAM and CHEMIN, Discussion of the science/results from these instruments |
Nov 21 2012, 11:46 AM
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#31
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Senior Member Group: Admin Posts: 3108 Joined: 21-December 05 From: Canberra, Australia Member No.: 615 |
ADMIN NOTE: Hi All, a new topic for the discussion of the science from the SAM and Chemin instruments.
There has been a very important amendment to Rule 1.3 which is explained here. Please remember Rule 1.3 at all times when discussing matters in this section. |
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Mar 10 2013, 09:38 AM
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#32
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 94 Joined: 11-August 12 Member No.: 6536 |
Many Mars meteorites contain organics at levels that are very detectable by SAM. Amino acids at 100ppb levels have been reported. There is some controversy over the origin and these might be terrestrial. A high temperature Martian origin seems to be the favored explantion. Levels of reduced carbon in the 1-50 ppm range have also been reported, and this would be easily detected by SAM.
The bottom line is that there is a good chance that SAM will detect traces of organics in the next few months if it hasn't already. IIRC the detection limit for SAM is 1ppb organics. Amino acids in mars meteorite Reduced organic carbon in mars basalts |
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Mar 10 2013, 10:14 AM
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#33
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 93 Joined: 21-January 13 Member No.: 6845 |
The detection level is a very complicated topic for all pyrolysis based systems. It is hard to determine the exact numbers because the extraction efficiency of pyrolysis is depending on:
*the chemistry of the rock; oxidative and reductive compounds will have a significant influence catalytic surfaces will influence the result *the distribution in the rock; strongly encapsulates org. molecules or strongly adsorbed org. molecules are hard to get out of the rock *the compound; there are compound which decompose very easy into CO, CO2 and N2 and you will not see an organic molecule at all the same for the kerogenic substances which are hard to detect because of the high boiling points. The comparison with extraction techniques often shows you that what you expected is a lot different in reality. With the 1ppb detection level there will be hardly a chance that they will not detect anything in the coming months of the mission. If they find nothing in the next few years Mars has an unknown mechanism to get ride of organics. |
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