Photochemical Stability and Reactivity of Prebiotic Molecules Under Ceres-Like Conditions

Explore the photochemical stability and reactivity of prebiotic molecules under Ceres-like conditions in this 41-minute lecture by Jessica Weber from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology. Delve into the astrobiological significance of Ceres, a dwarf planet where organics have been detected by the Dawn spacecraft. Learn about experimental tests conducted on prebiotic organic materials, including alpha keto acids and amino acids, to determine their stability and reactivity under planetary analog conditions. Discover the findings from both pure organic material and organic-mineral mix experiments, analyzed through mass spectrometry. Gain insights into the implications of these results for future mission concepts and our understanding of potential processes on Ceres.