2) Universe: origins and evolution
ANATRAC also investigates sedimentary archives (micro-fossils) to get insights into the organic inventory and biomarkers that can help constrain the co-evolution of life and the environments on early Earth. Investigations of the carbonaceous matter in meteorites are also carried out to identify organic markers linked to the aqueous alteration underwent by the meteorite, a tracer of its evolution in space.
Funding: ANR M6Fossils, ANR INTERSTELLAR, PEPR Exploratory Origins
A window on the past: investigations of micro-fossils, meteorites, and interstellar dust analogues
ANATRAC recently took a new orientation towards the study of "origins", whereby the team investigates sedimentary archives (micro-fossils) and meteorites to get insights into the organic inventory and biomarkers that can help constrain the co-evolution of life and the environments on early Earth or reveal the thermal and aqueous history of extraterrestrial bodies. This activity will blossom through the PEPR Exploratory Origins (2023-2029) project “µL2-HRMS”, in which ANATRAC will develop and utilize a specifically designed unique laser-assisted mass spectrometry instrument to further unravel the chemical complexity of extraterrestrial and fossil organic matter. This project will provide a powerful method for characterizing organic matter in Phobos and Mars samples returns and will help better define potential markers of life. In the meantime, the consolidation and development of this activity will continue through the ANR INTERSTELLAR (2023-2027), in which laboratory analogues of astrophysical large molecular systems will be synthesized, photon processed, and characterized to aid in the interpretation of the measured features and provide realistic models mimicking their photophysical properties and emission spectra in space. The multi-technique analytical approach ANATRAC recently developed to evaluate the properties of carbon dust produced by dielectric barrier discharge and its resemblance to interstellar carbon dust will be pursued through international collaborations.