Researchers at Wellesley College, led by undergraduate student Kennedy Barnes, have been investigating the role of low-energy electrons in the creation of prebiotic molecules in space. Their findings, which will be presented at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society, suggest that low-energy electrons may play a more significant role in the extraterrestrial synthesis of these molecules compared to photons. This research is a continuation of a long-standing interest in understanding how molecules form in space, dating back to the first detection of molecules by Annie Jump Cannon over a hundred years ago.
In addition to exploring the chemistry of cosmic ice, the team’s research has potential applications on Earth. By studying the radiolysis of water, they have found evidence of the electron-stimulated release of hydrogen peroxide and hydroperoxyl radicals, which may have implications for medical applications such as cancer treatment. The team’s findings may also be relevant to environmental remediation efforts, where wastewater is treated with high-energy radiation to destroy hazardous chemicals.
To better understand prebiotic molecule synthesis, the researchers have not only relied on mathematical modeling but have also conducted experiments in the lab to mimic conditions in space. By bombarding nanoscale ice films with low-energy electrons or photons using specialized equipment, they can observe the molecules that are produced. This research is not only applicable to interstellar submicron ice particles but also to cosmic ice on a larger scale, such as the ice shell found on Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Their work may help astronomers interpret data from space exploration missions like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the Europa Clipper, set to launch in 2024. By incorporating low-energy electrons into astrochemistry models that simulate what happens within cosmic ices, researchers can gain a better understanding of the chemistry taking place in these environments. The team is also exploring the possibility of low-energy electrons producing other prebiotic chemistries by varying the molecular composition of ice films and investigating atom addition reactions.
Funded by organizations like the U.S. National Science Foundation, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, and Wellesley College Faculty Awards, the research conducted by Barnes and her colleagues represents an exciting new phase in the study of space chemistry. With the potential to shed light on the origins of life and inform medical and environmental applications, their work opens up new avenues of exploration in the realm of astrochemistry. By delving into the role of low-energy electrons in chemical reactions in space, the team is contributing to our understanding of the complex processes that govern the formation of molecules in the cosmos.
