Hydrocarbons on other planets

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Basic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The parent molcule, methane (CH4), undergoes photochemical reactions which convert it to chain molecules such as acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), and ethane (C2H6). The atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, contains higher mass hydrocarbon ions such as C3H3+, C3H5+, and C5H5+. Hydrocarbons containing as many as seven carbon atoms were observed in Titan's atmosphere by the planetary probe Cassini, which also observed nitriles, nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons. Because of Titan's extremely cold temperatures, these hydrocarbons condense and rain down upon the surface. What appear to be hydrocarbon lakes exist on Titan's surface.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • P.E.R.M.A.N.E.N.T., Project to Employ Resources from the Moon and Asteroids Near Earth in Near Term.


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