Super-complex organic molecules found in interstellar space.
Scientists from Instituto Astrofiscia de Canarias and the University of Texas have detected the presence of of the most complex organic molecule yet found in interstellar space, anthracene. The molecules are in a dense cloud about 700 light years from the Sun.
Molecules like athracene are prebiotic, and when combined with ultraviolet radiation, water and ammonia they could produce amino acids and other compounds essential for the development of life.
Two years ago another organic molecule, naphtalene, was identified in the same place. The thinking is that the scientists have found a star formation region rich in prebiotic chemistry. These findings suggest that a good part of the key components of Earth’s prebiotic chemistry could be present in interstellar matter.
