Astronomers find 'raw materials for life' can form in planetary systems before stars exist

Scientists find prebiotics in space, forming before stars, aiding life's origin study.

: Scientists have discovered a large aromatic molecule in space that may contribute to forming the building blocks of life. This molecule, cyanocoronene, is a type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), crucial in the chemistry of star and planet creation. The molecule was detected in the Taurus Molecular Cloud using the Green Bank Telescope, highlighting the role of prebiotic molecules before star formation. The discovery opens opportunities for further research into how such molecules evolve and interact, aiding the understanding of life's origins.

Astronomers have announced a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cosmic chemistry: the identification of a large aromatic molecule in space, called cyanocoronene. This molecule was found in the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1), which is known for its complex chemical environment favorable for star and planet formation. The molecule belongs to a class of carbon-based organic compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are made of fused aromatic rings. PAHs are vital as they hold a significant portion of the universe's carbon and play essential roles in the chemistry underlying star and planet formation. This discovery marks a significant leap in understanding, as previously only smaller PAHs were identified in space.

Cyanocoronene forms in the cold interstellar medium through reactions between coronene and cyanide radicals at low temperatures. The researchers used the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, to detect multiple matching spectral lines, confirming cyanocoronene's presence in TMC-1. This finding suggests that complex organic chemistry can occur in planetary systems even before the birth of stars, indicating these prebiotic molecules may be common during early star and planet formation.

The significance of identifying cyanocoronene lies in its potential role in providing carbon essential for forming molecules needed for life. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding how these PAHs evolve, fragment, and interact with other molecules under various conditions, such as exposure to ultraviolet light and cosmic rays. This discovery, presented at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, could lead astronomers and astrochemists to explore larger PAHs, pushing the known boundaries of cosmic organic chemistry.

As highlighted by Gabi Wenzel, a research scientist in the Department of Chemistry at MIT and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, these findings bring researchers closer to unraveling the origins of life's building blocks. Each new molecule detected aids in constructing a more detailed picture of how complex organic chemistry unfolds across the universe. This research aligns with the broader goal of understanding life's beginnings and the universe's chemical dynamics.

The use of radio telescopes like the GBT, which detects radio waves emitted by cold, dense space regions, is crucial in these studies as it allows scientists to collect data on molecules not visible through traditional optical telescopes. By comparing radio wave patterns, known as microwave spectra, with pre-measured lab data, researchers can identify specific molecules in space confidently. This method underscores the innovative approaches driving discoveries in cosmic chemistry and astrobiology.

Sources: Space, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, NSF, Future brands

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