Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery surrounding the protoplanetary disk around V883 Orionis, revealing complex organic molecules that could serve as precursors to life. The team, led by Abubakar Fadul from the Max Planck Institute of Astronomy, used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) to observe these molecules in unprecedented detail.
The most significant findings include ethylene glycol and glyconitrile, both of which are crucial components in DNA and RNA. These discoveries were made possible by heating up the protoplanetary disk surrounding V883 Orionis, allowing researchers to detect these molecules at radio frequencies.
While the presence of organics in space is not conclusive evidence for extraterrestrial life, it does provide valuable insights into how proteins and molecules may have come together to give rise to life. The discovery suggests that some organic compounds could be a sign of life beyond Earth, giving us a glimpse into the emergence of life billions of years ago.
Ethylene glycol, in particular, is thought to be the result of UV radiation bombarding another molecule called ethanolamine. This finding supports the idea that ethylene glycol can survive in an environment similar to our own Solar System, paving the way for its potential role in the origins of life.
The team’s findings also shed light on the formation and distribution of organic molecules throughout planetary systems. Comets, which are leftover planetesimals carrying simple and complex organics, may have delivered these molecules to Earth during the early Solar System’s violent collisions.
Future studies will aim to confirm the detections of ethylene glycol and glyconitrile using higher-resolution data, potentially revealing more complex chemicals that could be essential for life.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/deep-space/a65494937/surprise-life-on-earth-may-have-actually-started-in-space