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Title: Astrophysical Sites that Can Produce Enantiomeric Amino Acids
Recent work has produced theoretical evidence for two sites, colliding neutron stars and neutron-star–Wolf–Rayet binary systems, which might produce amino acids with the left-handed chirality preference found in meteorites. The Supernova Neutrino Amino Acid Processing (SNAAP) model uses electron antineutrinos and the magnetic field from source objects such as neutron stars to preferentially destroy one enantiomer over another. Large enantiomeric excesses are predicted for isovaline and alanine; although based on an earlier study, similar results are expected for the others. Isotopic abundances of 13 C and 15 O in meteorites provide a new test of the SNAAP model. This presents implications for the origins of life.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1927130
NSF-PAR ID:
10193329
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Symmetry
Volume:
11
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2073-8994
Page Range / eLocation ID:
23
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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