On the search for the amino acids on the lunar surface as it relates to other extraterrestrial bodies

Vera M. Kolb; Richard B. Hoover; Stephen A. Macko

doi:10.1117/12.831232

10 September 2009 On the search for the amino acids on the lunar surface as it relates to other extraterrestrial bodies

Vera M. Kolb, Richard B. Hoover, Stephen A. Macko

Proceedings Volume 7441, Instruments and Methods for Astrobiology and Planetary Missions XII; 744106 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.831232
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The early search for the amino acids in the lunar surface fines indicated such a low amount of the amino acids that it was deemed insignificant, and possibly contamination. Although later studies departed in some ways from the earlier results, they were not pursued. In this paper we critically evaluate the results from the Apollo missions from the new perspective with considerations of the sensitivity of the instrumentation available at the time. We suggest that the relative abundances of amino acids seen in lunar soils are appreciably distinct from terrestrial signatures and are not the result of contamination. We discuss the possible relevance of the lunar results to the findings of the amino acids on the surfaces of other extraterrestrial bodies, such as Mars, as well as a need for further analytical approaches.

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Vera M. Kolb, Richard B. Hoover, and Stephen A. Macko "On the search for the amino acids on the lunar surface as it relates to other extraterrestrial bodies", Proc. SPIE 7441, Instruments and Methods for Astrobiology and Planetary Missions XII, 744106 (10 September 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.831232

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KEYWORDS

Proteins

Statistical analysis

Contamination

Chromatography

Mars

Rockets

Aerospace engineering

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