Calvin Jean

1964 · réf. S8494 — no place:: 1964. 1964. Supported by NASA. 4to. 11 pp. Figs. Stapled sheets. FINE. Privately distributed pre-published format. Later published within: Life sciences and space research 2 1964. / Summary: "The nature and assignment of the Martian spectral features observed by W. M. Sinton in the 3-4 micron region have been re-examined. It is shown that it is not possible to state unequivocally that there are absorption bands at 2710 3.69 microns 2790 3.58 microns and 2900 3.45 microns cm-1. Rather the possibility of the presence of true reflection features complicates the issue and enables only a wide range to be specified for the corresponding resonant frequencies. To clarify the assignment of these a large number of pure organic and inorganic solids together with a selection of biological samples have been recorded in reflection. The assignment of the features to organic matter implying the presence of life on the Martian maria is found to be improbable. While inorganic carbonates have bands in this region they also do not provide a satisfactory explanation of the observations. The assignment of these Martian spectral features is then an open question." / Calvin began his career at Berkeley where he made his crucial experiments on photosynthesis that showed how sunlight acts on the chlorophyll in a plant to fuel the manufacturing of organic compounds rather than on carbon dioxide as had been previously thought. It was for this important work that he was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. He was also noted for his work on the chemical evolution of life. Wasson Nobel Prize Winners. [1964?]. unknown books