Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectra of nitrile ices for their identification on Pluto

Sivaraman, B.; Pavithraa, S.; Lo, J.-I.; Raja Sekhar, B. N.; Hill, H.; Cheng, B.-M. and Mason, N. J. (2016). Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectra of nitrile ices for their identification on Pluto. The Astrophysical Journal, 825(2), article no. 141.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-637X/825/2/141

Abstract

Icy bodies, such as Pluto, are known to harbor simple and complex molecules. The recent New Horizons flyby of Pluto has revealed a complex surface composed of bright and dark ice surfaces, indicating a rich chemistry based on nitrogen (N₂), methane (CH₄), and carbon monoxide (CO). Nitrile (CN) containing molecules such as acetonitrile (CH₃CN), propionitrile (CH₃CH₂CN), butyronitrile (CH₃CH₂CH₂CN), and isobutyronitrile ((CH₃)₂CHCN) are some of the nitrile molecules that are known to be synthesized by radiative processing of such simple ices. Through the provision of a spectral atlas for such compounds we propose that such nitriles may be identified from the ALICE payload on board New Horizons

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