Long wavelength ultraviolet photoproduction of amino acids on the primitive earth
Amino acids produced by long UV irradiation of gas mixtures using hydrogen sulfide as initial photon acceptor, simulating prebiological earth conditions
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Amino acids produced by long UV irradiation of gas mixtures using hydrogen sulfide as initial photon acceptor, simulating prebiological earth conditions
Electron, proton and UV irradiation effects on CdS solar cell protective plastic films with or without adhesive coatings, measuring transmission changes
Organic compounds biosynthesis in simulated Mars atmosphere, using UV irradiation for photocatalytic production from CO and water mixtures
Cystine synthesis in simulated primitive conditions by UV irradiation of methane, ethane, ammonia, water vapor and hydrogen sulfide in spherical vessel
The electron-beam technique for evaporating a dielectric material onto solar cells is investigated. A process has been developed which will provide a highly transparent, low stress, 2 mil thick cover capable of withstanding conventional space type qualification tests including humidity, thermal shock, and thermal cycling. The covers have demonstrated the ability to withstand 10 to the 15th power 1 MeV electrons and UV irradiation with minor darkening. Investigation of the cell AR coating has produced a space qualifiable titanium oxide coating which will give an additional 6% current output over similar silicon oxide coated cells when covered by glass.
Test results and data for achieving a low-outgassing polymer resin suitable for potting or a paint pigment are presented. The resin, prepared in 0.5-kg (1-lb) batches, is acceptable for spacecraft use; its weight loss is less than 0.5 percent, and the volatile condensable materials are less than 0.05 percent. The paint adheres to a primed fiber glass or aluminum substrate. Results of UV irradiation, electron and proton radiation, and thermal cycling are presented.
The performance of the microbial response to space environment experiment is considered excellent by all investigators. For most microbial systems, only preliminary survival data are available at this time. None of the available data indicate space flight-mediated changes in cell viability or recovery. One quite important observation has been made at this early date, however. The eggs produced after mice had been infected with N. dubius larvae demonstrated a significant decrease in hatchability when compared to identical ground controls. Except for the fact that the Apollo 16 flight larvae had been on board the command module, treatment of the flown larvae and ground control larvae was the same; neither had been exposed to UV irradiation. The significance and implications of this finding are currently being studied.
Five powders were received for plasma calcining during this report period. The particle size using a fluid energy mill, and obtained pigments that could be plasma calcined. Optimum results are obtained in the plasma calcining of zinc orthotitanate when finely dispersed particles are subjected to a calculated plasma temperature of 1670 C. Increasing the plasma calcining time by using multiple passes through the plasma stabilized the pigment to vacuum UV irradiation was evidenced by the resulting ESR spectra but slightly decreased the whiteness of the pigment. The observed darkening is apparently associated with the formation of Ti(+3) color centers.
A series of tests are described which were performed to evaluate the acceptability of a commercially supplied silver backed teflon thermal control coating relative to teflon previously coated at GSFC. Optical measurements made on numerous samples indicate that the commercial material possesses an average solar absorptance of 0.085, an emittance of 0.76 and an average alpha/epsilon equal to 0.112, all of which are equivalent to the GSFC coated teflon. The emittance of the protective inconel backing was found to be 0.037. The coating is shown to have good adhesion at the Ag-teflon interface and exposure to UV irradiation uncovered no coating irregularities. Temperature cycling over the range -135 C to +200 C produced crazing in the evaporated Ag layer as expected but no delamination was observed. The suitability of Mystik no. 7366 and 3M no. 467 adhesives as bonding agents for the metallized polymer is demonstrated. Various problems associated with production reproducibility and selection of a proper bonding process are discussed.
Efforts to prepare Ca(O2) sub 2 from reactions of calcium compounds with 100% O3 and with O(D-1) atoms generated by photolysis of O3 at 2537 A are described. Samples of Ca(OH) sub 2, CaO, CaO2, Ca metal, and mixtures containing suspected impurities to promote reaction have been treated with excess O3 under static and flow conditions in the presence and absence of UV irradiation. Studies with KO2 suggest that the superoxide anion is stable to radiation at 2537 A but reacts with oxygen atoms generated by the photolysis of O3 to form KO3. Calcium superoxide is expected to behave in an analogous.
Review of the results of some explicit experimental simulation of interstellar organic chemistry consisting in low-temperature high-vacuum UV irradiation of condensed simple gases known or suspected to be present in the interstellar medium. The results include the finding that acetonitrile may be present in the interstellar medium. The implication of this and other findings are discussed.
Emission from N2 B (3 Pi g) and O(1 S) produced during vacuum UV irradiation of N2O was studied as a function of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Two different processes were responsible for producing N2(B 3 Pi g) close to its production threshold. One process formed B 3 Pi g molecules directly and one indirectly via an unidentified precursor having a lifetime about 27 microsec. The quantum yield of O(1 S) atoms produced by photodissociation of N2O was determined as a function of incident photon energy. This yield is near 100% at 129 nm.
An ionospheric simulation experiment has been performed in a large vacuum chamber. The chamber is filled with NO and other gases including N2, O2, CO2, NH3 and H2O in the pressure range of 0.01 torr. A lamp which produces photons at 1236- and 1165-A by means of microwave discharge in krypton is utilized as an ionization source. In addition to 30+ large quantities of the water cluster ions 55+, H3O(+).(H2O)2, 73+, H3O(+).(H2O)3 and 91+, H3O(+).(H2O)4 were observed when nitric oxide and water were present. This closely approximates the condition of the terrestrial D region. After long periods of UV irradiation 74+ and 104+ ions grow in intensity. These ions are tentatively identified as NO(+).N2O and NO(+).NO.N2O. In addition the series 18+, 36+, 54+, and 72+ is detected which can be labeled NH4(+), NH4(+).(H2O), NH4(+).(H2O)2 and NH4(+).(H2O)3. These same species of ions are observed with the introduction of ammonia into the chamber. Presumably both N2O and NH3 are products of the photolysis.
The visible (0.3 to 1.03 microns) spectral reflectances of N2O, NH3, H2S, and NH4HS frosts and mixtures of these frosts as well as their UV-irradiated products have been measured. These spectra are compared with the spectra of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, and Saturn's satellites to place limits on their surface compositions.
Commercially available flat-plate solar cell modules have been subjected to a variety of environmental tests designed to simulate service conditions. Among the tests are those simulating heat and rain, wind-driven rains, humidity and freezing, humidity and heat, humidity with a voltage bias, salt fog, hail impact, and fungus infestation. Tests for optical surface soiling and the combined effects of temperature, humidity and UV irradiation are under development. A correlation has been demonstrated between degradation caused by the qualification tests and such observed field effects as power loss.
The plausibility that hydrogen peroxide, widely distributed within the Mars surface material, was responsible for the evocative response obtained by the Viking Labeled Release (LR) experiment on Mars was investigated. Although a mixture of gamma Fe2O3 and silica sand stimulated the LR nutrient reaction with hydrogen peroxide and reduced the rate of hydrogen decomposition under various storage conditions, the Mars analog soil prepared by the Viking Inorganic Analysis Team to match the Mars analytical data does not cause such effects. Nor is adequate resistance to UV irradiation shown. On the basis of the results and consideration presented while the hydrogen peroxide theory remains the most, if not only, attractive chemical explanation of the LR data, it remains unconvincing on critical points. Until problems concerning the formation and stabilization of hydrogen peroxide on the surface of Mars can be overcome, adhere to the scientific evidence requires serious consideration of the biological theory.
Electrostatic two-dimensional numerical simulations of a radially symmetric barium injection experiment demonstrate that ions created by solar UV irradiation are electrostatically bound to the electrons which remain tied to the field lines on which they are created. Two possible instabilities are identified, but neither of them causes the barium plasma cloud to polarize in a way that would permit the plasma to keep up with the neutrals. In a second model, the velocity of the neutrals is allowed to be a function of the azimuthal angle. Here, a portion of the cloud does polarize in a way that allows a portion of the plasma to detach and move outward at the approximate speed of the neutrals. No rapid detachment is found when only the density of the neutrals is given an azimuthal asymmetry.
The absence of molecular emissions in the spectrum of Comet Bowell, a nearly constant amount of dust in its coma, a slow expansion rate of the coma and implied low particle velocities, a tail width that does not increase with increasing distance from the nucleus, the absence of tail particles less than 0.5 mm in diameter, and the development of an elongated coma, lead to the conclusion that the solid particles in the coma and tail are not recent ejecta, and that the comet has probably been dormant. It is speculated that 10 to the 13th g of observed coma and tail particles is either a leftover pristine material that has never contacted the nucleus surface, or a product of erratic activity associated with chemical instability, at temperatures below 40 K, stimulated by cosmic ray and/or UV irradiation of the surface layer during the comet's Oort cloud stay. It remains possible that the comet may temporarily become active near perihelion.