User:JustBerry/Science/Hydrocarbons on other planets/sandbox

Status: Work In Progress

[1]

Basic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The parent molecule, methane (CH₄), undergoes photochemical reactions which convert it to chain molecules such as acetylene (C₂H₂), ethylene (C₂H₄), and ethane (C₂H₆). The atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, contains higher mass hydrocarbon ions such as C₃H₃+, C₃H₅+, and C₅H₅+. Hydrocarbons containing as many as seven carbon atoms were observed in Titan's atmosphere by the planetary probe Cassini, which also observed nitriles, nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons. Because of Titan's extremely cold temperatures, these hydrocarbons condense and rain down upon the surface. What appear to be hydrocarbon lakes exist on Titan's surface.

See also

• Future energy development
• Hydrocarbons

External links

• P.E.R.M.A.N.E.N.T., Project to Employ Resources from the Moon and Asteroids Near Earth in Near Term.