tholinrich
Tholinrich is an adjective used in planetary science and astrochemistry to describe materials or surface regions that are rich in tholins, a class of complex organic polymers produced by irradiation of simple nitrogen- and carbon-containing gas mixtures. The term distinguishes areas with high tholin content from those with relatively less, providing a qualitative sense of composition used when interpreting remote sensing data and laboratory simulations.
Tholins form when nitrogen- and methane-containing gases, such as N2-CH4 mixtures, are exposed to ultraviolet light,
Characteristically, tholin-rich substances show broad, featureless absorptions in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared parts of the
Significance lies in understanding the chemical evolution of planetary surfaces and atmospheres, as tholins influence albedo,