Synthesis of tholins
Síntesis de tolinas
- Date
- 1979 · confidence high
- Place
- Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
- Credited to
- Carl Sagan and Bishun Khare
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Sagan and Khare irradiated gas mixtures such as methane, ethane and nitrogen with electrical discharges and ultraviolet light, obtaining complex reddish organic solids they named "tholins", mimicking the chemistry of Titan's atmosphere.
The Miller–Urey experiment (1952) is not yet in the catalogue under that exact name; referenced here as a conceptual precursor.
What it led to
- Chemical model of Titan's atmosphere and surface
- Search for tholins on Pluto, comets and other icy bodies
- Boost to astrobiology and prebiotic chemistry
Built on
- Miller–Urey experiment