tholin
English edit
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek θολός (tholós, “muddy”) + -in. Coined by Carl Sagan and Bishun Khare in 1979. From the muddy coloration that this class of chemical compounds appear to have, when observed on the Saturnian moon Titan, and from Miller–Urey-style experiments.
Noun edit
tholin (plural tholins)
- (organic chemistry, astronomy) Any of several poorly classified heteropolymers derived from simple hydrocarbons and ammonia formed by solar irradiation in the atmospheres of icy planets and moons.
Descendants edit
Translations edit
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Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from English tholin, from Ancient Greek θολός (tholós, “muddy”).
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
tholin m (plural tholins)