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Exobiology on Titan

A reference laboratory for studying prebiotic chemistry on a planetary scale

  • Section 2. Membrane Formation In Planetary, Extraterrestrial And Interstellar Conditions
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Abstract

With a dense N2-CH4 atmosphere rich in organics, both in gas and aerosol phases, and with the possible presence of hydrocarbons oceans on its surface, Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, appears as a natural laboratory to study chemical evolution toward complex organic systems, in a planetary environment and over a long time scale. Thanks to many analogies with planet Earth, it provides a unique way to look at the various physical and chemical processes, and their couplings which may have been involved in terrestrial prebiotic chemistry. Indeed, analogies with the Earth have a limit since Titan's temperatures are much lower than on the Earth and since liquid water is totally absent. However, from that aspect, Titan also serves as a reference laboratory worth studying — indirectly — the role of liquid water in exobiology. The Cassini-Huygens mission currently developed by NASA and ESA will send an orbiter around Saturn and Titan and a probe in Titan's atmosphere. This mission which will be launched in 1997 for an expected arrival in 2004, offers a unique opportunity to study in detail extra-terrestrial, not life-controled, organic processes, and consequently it will have significant implications in the fields of exobiology and the origins of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LISA, CNRS & Universités Paris 12 et Paris 7, Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010, Créteil Cedex, France

    F. Raulin, P. Bruston, P. Coll, D. Coscia, M-C. Gazeau, L. Guez & E. de Vanssay

Authors
  1. F. Raulin
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  2. P. Bruston
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  3. P. Coll
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  4. D. Coscia
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  5. M-C. Gazeau
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  6. L. Guez
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  7. E. de Vanssay
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This paper is dedicated to the memory of Cyril PONNAMPERUMA who largely contributed to the development of the scientific fields of Chemical Evolution and Exobiology.

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Raulin, F., Bruston, P., Coll, P. et al. Exobiology on Titan. J Biol Phys 20, 39–53 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00700419

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