Recently, NASA has released the surprising findings of Pluto's lower atmosphere as being partly composed of, if not even dominated by, higher hydrocarbons. See Link below.
This finding from the "New Horizons" satellite flyby adds to the already puzzling findings of Titan's surface being covered in methane ice and higher hydrocarbons, and also the findings of ESA's 'Rosetta' and 'Philae' findings on comet '67P', which seems to consist of molecular Nitrogen, Carbon and small amounts of water (including hydrocarbons).
Certainly, this means that our understanding of kerogen and hydrocarbons (including the origin of oil and gas) on Earth needs a serious up-dating. This means that even though we group such substances under 'organic chemistry', they may not have anything to do with organisms. The substances are primordial and pristine (e.g., inorganic), and may later become the necessary building Blocks for life and primitive organisms, under the right (favorable) physical circumstances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=27&v=dWr29KIs2Ns
Dear Dr. Martin,
Good point and nice question. I have thought about the same thing actually long time ago even before this announcement. I am with the idea that hydrocarbon are from the core of something (that thing is the universe origin which was one thing and Big Bang happened to separate the planets).
To me, still the Kerogen theory (shale rocks that were cooked .. etc) does not make much sense due to multiple indications including NASA discovery. Now, for the organisms issue, I think the suitable conditions of the earth resulted in creation/survival of living things but there were others much much longer time ago on other planets which vanished fast after creation. Be cautioned that this is my perception and I have no proof of it. I am a strong believer of multi universe and big bang theories.
Thanks for the question.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry