NASA NTRS · 20140017075
Detection and Quantification of Nitrogen Compounds in the First Drilled Martian Solid Samples by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
Abstract
The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover detected both reduced and oxidized nitrogen-bearing compounds during the pyrolysis of surface materials at Yellowknife Bay in Gale Crater. Preliminary detections of nitrogen species include NO, HCN, ClCN, CH3CN, and TFMA (trifluoro-N-methyl-acetamide). Confirmation of indigenous Martian N-bearing compounds requires quantifying N contribution from the terrestrial derivatization reagents (e.g. N-methyl-N-tertbutyldimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide, MTBSTFA and dimethylformamide, DMF) carried for SAM's wet chemistry experiment that contribute to the SAM background. Nitrogen species detected in the SAM solid sample analyses can also be produced during laboratory pyrolysis experiments where these reagents are heated in the presence of perchlorate, a compound that has also been identified by SAM in Mars solid samples.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Stern, J. C., Navarro-Gonzales, R., Freissinet, C., McKay, C. P., Archer, P. D., Jr., Buch, A., Brunner, A. E., Coll, P., Eigenbrode, J. L., Franz, H. B., Glavin, D. P., McAdam, A. C., Ming, D., Steele, A., Sutter, B., Szopa, C., Wray, J. J., Conrad, P., Mahaffy, P. R.. 2014-03-17. Detection and Quantification of Nitrogen Compounds in the First Drilled Martian Solid Samples by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140017075
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.