Formation of Titan Tholin by Cosmic Rays

Abstract

Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, has a dense atmosphere containing nitrogen and methane, where hydrocarbons and nitriles are present as minor constituents. We irradiated a mixture of methane and nitrogen with high energy protons to simulate reactions in lower Titan atmosphere . Complex organic compounds (tholin) was formed, and hydrolysates of tholin gave amino acids in high yields. The present results suggest that bioorganic compounds can be formed from tholin and water ice delivered by comets.