Ethane clathrate hydrate infrared signatures for solar system remote sensing

TL;DR

This study identifies infrared spectral signatures of ethane clathrate hydrates at low temperatures, enabling remote detection of these compounds on solar system bodies, which could influence our understanding of their surface chemistry and evolution.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed infrared spectral analysis of ethane clathrate hydrates across relevant solar system temperatures, aiding remote sensing efforts.

Findings

Identified specific infrared signatures of ethane in clathrate form.

Demonstrated detectability of ethane clathrate hydrates via remote sensing.

Covered temperature range relevant to solar system environments.

Abstract

Hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane are present in many solar system objects, including comets, moons and planets. The interaction of these hydrocarbons with water ice at low temperatures could lead to the formation of inclusion compounds, such as clathrate hydrates (water based host cages trapping hydrocarbons guest molecules), modifying their retention, stability and therefore evolution. The occurrence of {\cor clathrate hydrates} on solar system surfaces could be established by remote sensing of their spectroscopic signatures. In this study, we measure and analyse ethane clathrate hydrate spectra recorded in the temperature range from 5.3 to 160K, covering most of the temperature range of interest for solar system objects. Specific infrared band signatures are identified for the ethane encaged guest. We provide evidence that ethane clathrate hydrate outcrops can be detected by remote sensing on the surface of planetary bodies.