LABORATORY SIMULATIONS ON COSMIC MATERIALS

摘要

Astronomical observations and in situ exploration of Solar System bodies provide information about cosmic materials. Identifying the properties of compounds versus space environments is useful to trace their evolution, also in view of biogenic implications. A thorough interpretation of observations is based on laboratory simulations. Experiments are aimed at reproducing the properties of species observed in different environments and simulating the effects of processes active in space (e.g., thermal annealing, UV irradiation, ion bombardment, gas-solid interactions). The laboratory approach is based on the synthesis of "analogues" of cosmic compounds with well-controlled chemical and physical properties. The products are characterised in optical, chemical and structural status by various analytical techniques. The application of processes, similar to those active in space, provides information on the reactivity of materials and the efficiency of treatments. Recent experimental results obtained by the group of INAF-OAC Naples, are reported in the present paper.