The excitement for the flyby of the New Horizons extra-terrestrial planetary probe of Pluto and the data being collected by the Cassini probe of Titan has increased the interest in examining methane rich nitrogen atmospheric systems. To create comparison data set for current and any future missions requires the analysis of terrestrial produced Plutonian and Titan tholin. This provides an understanding of the mechanisms creating these exotic atmospheric conditions. In previous studies of spark discharge tholins from nitrogen and methane, trace aromatic systems were found using NMR and LDMS. In our study these types of aromatic tholins are able to be characterized using Pyridine as a precursor in a photochemical reaction chamber. Techniques such as NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and tandem MS, would allow for the extraction of data about the Plutonian and Titan atmospheres, soils, and other curiosities. By developing these techniques, especially <sup>15</sup>N NMR and Laser Desorption Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry as described herein, the necessary background information will be produced to make a future lander mission to Pluto a success.

Identification and characterization of Plutonian and Titan tholins via LDMS and <sup>15</sup>N NMR

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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Identification and characterization of Plutonian and Titan tholins via LDMS and 15N NMR

Identification and characterization of Plutonian and Titan tholins via LDMS and ¹⁵N NMR