Synthesis of urea in cometary model ices and implications for Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko†
Abstract
Urea is considered a fundamental building block in prebiotic chemistry. Its formation on early Earth has not yet been explained satisfactorily and exogenous delivery has been considered. We report on the synthesis along with the first online and in situ identification of urea after exposing inorganic ices to ionizing radiation.