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R. L. Hudson (Eckerd College, Florida), M. H. Moore (NASA/GSFC, Maryland)
For several years we have been engaged in spectroscopic investigations of the radiation and photochemistries of frozen molecular mixtures. To date we have studied radiation and far-UV processing of molecules under laboratory conditions relevant to comets, Europa, and the interstellar medium. Our most recent work has used IR spectroscopy to examine the evolution of nitrogen-rich ices found on Pluto, Triton, and possibly Kuiper Belt objects. Results from these experiments will be presented in this talk, with the emphasis being placed on the formation of stable ions, such as cyanide, cyanate, and azide, on the surfaces of Solar System objects. Chemical reactions to support the IR data will be given.
This work was supported by NASA through RTOPS 344-33-01 and 344-02-57, and NASA grant NAG-5-1843.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: hudsonrl@eckerd.edu