Evolution and detectability of organic molecules on planetary and cometary surfaces
Date:
Mardi, 16 Février, 2016 - 11:00
Lieu:
IAS, bât 121, salle 1-2-3
Nom de l'intervenant:
Olivier Poch (NCCR PlanetS, Bern)
In this talk, I will present my activities relative to the questions of the detection, the evolution, and the role of organic molecules at the surfaces of Mars, comets and icy satellites. I will describe experimental laboratory simulations, performed with analogues of astrophysical surfaces, whose results support space missions such as Mars Science Laboratory and Rosetta.
First, I will present results of laboratory experiments on the evolution of organic molecules exposed to simulated Mars surface UV irradiation conditions. These experiments provide indications on which molecules to search for and in which minerals at the surface of Mars.
Secondly, I will describe recent laboratory results on the sublimation of analogues of cometary ices. I will show how organic molecules present on comets and other icy bodies can influence the microstructure and the spectro-photometry of their surfaces.
Finally, I will briefly present an ongoing work on the spectro-polarization of ices and dusts, and the interest of this technique for Solar System and extra-solar observations.
