Experimental simulation of the effects of energetic particles (ions and electrons) on the surface of icy bodies in the Solar System: physicochemical transformation of ices mixtures containing H2O,CO2,CH4 (10:1:1)

• Grant number: 16/11334-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Solar System Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Pilling Guapyassu de Oliveira
• Grantee: Marina Gomes Rachid
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/07283-9 - Processing of warm ices by low energy ions: probing the effects of solar wind and low energy magnetospheric ions on frozen Solar System bodies, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The aim of this project is to experimentally study the interaction between highlycharged ions with the mixture H2O,CO2,CH4(10:1:1) astrophysical ice analogs in physicochemical condition similar to the ones found in interstellar dust regions, comets, transneptunians objects (TNO) and moons (for example Enceladus). As a first step, we will analyze experimental data obtained previously by the group staff of the samples irradiated at 72 K by 15.7MeV O+5 . Themeasurements were performed at the heavy ion accelerator GANIL (Grand Accelerateur Nationald'Ions Lourds). A second experiment will be perform using fast electrons (1-5 keV) in the LASA laboratory at the UNIVAP of the Laboratory of astrochemistry and astrobiology LASA / UNIVAP (built with FAPESP grant). The analysis of both data sets will performed in-situ by employing infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in a transmission mode, mass spectrometry (QMS) and possibly by gas chromatography (GCMS) in the case of experiments involving electrons. We will investigate the stability and chemical changes of these molecular species in space environments by determining the molecular dissociation cross sections and the formation of new species of cross sections. Theresults will identify dissociation processes and estimate half-life of these molecules in astrophysical scenarios. We hope this project helps to improve the understanding of physical-chemical parameter and chemical evolution of space environments. Given the importance of experimental work for understanding astrophysical scenarios and chemical complexity of spatial environments, we hope this project helps to improve the understanding of the physical chemistry of H2O,CO2,CH4 dustgrains, such composition has been observed in astronomical objects.

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RACHID, MARINA G.; FAQUINE, KARLA; PILLING, S.. Destruction of C2H4O2 isomers in ice-phase by X-rays: Implication on the abundance of acetic acid and methyl formate in the interstellar medium. Planetary and Space Science, v. 149, n. SI, p. 83-93, DEC 1 2017. (12/17248-2, 09/18304-0, 14/08643-0, 16/11334-5)

RACHID, MARINA G.; FAQUINE, KARLA; PILLING, S.. Destruction of C2H4O2 isomers in ice-phase by X-rays: Implication on the abundance of acetic acid and methyl formate in the interstellar medium. Planetary and Space Science, v. 149, p. 11-pg., 2017-12-01. (14/08643-0, 09/18304-0, 16/11334-5, 12/17248-2)

ROCHA, W. R. M.; PILLING, S.; DOMARACKA, A.; ROTHARD, H.; BODUCH, P.. Infrared complex refractive index of N-containing astrophysical ices free of water processed by cosmic-ray simulated in laboratory. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY, v. 228, MAR 5 2020. (16/11334-5, 16/22018-7, 13/07657-5, 17/07283-9)

RACHID, M. G.; PILLING, S.; ROCHA, W. R. M.; AGNIHOTRI, A.; ROTHARD, H.; BODUCH, P.. Processing of 72-K water-rich ices by keV and MeV oxygen ions: implications for the Saturnian moon Enceladus. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, v. 494, n. 2, p. 2396-2409, MAY 2020. (16/11334-5, 17/07283-9, 13/07657-5, 16/22018-7)