A team of astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the search for life beyond Earth. They have detected 17 complex organic molecules around the protostar V883 Orionis, marking the first tentative detection of ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile. These molecules are precursors to essential building blocks of life, such as amino acids and nucleobases.
The discovery suggests that the building blocks of life could form throughout the universe under the right circumstances. However, it does not mean that signs of life have been discovered. Instead, it provides evidence that complex chemistry can occur in space during the star formation process.
The team used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) to study V883 Orionis and detect these intriguing molecules. They plan to collect higher resolution data to confirm their findings and potentially discover more complex organic molecules.
The significance of this discovery lies in its potential implications for the origin of life on Earth. By studying protoplanetary disks, such as that of V883 Orionis, astronomers can gain insights into how our solar system formed and evolved. This knowledge could shed light on how life emerged on our planet and whether it is a unique occurrence.
Lead researcher Abubakar Fadul emphasized the excitement surrounding this discovery, stating that finding complex molecules in an environment conducive to star formation is a significant breakthrough. He noted that understanding where these essential building blocks of life form will be crucial in answering the question of how life came to exist on Earth.
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/stepping-stones-to-life-crucial-molecules-found-in-planet-forming-disk-its-really-exciting-80138