Organic molecules found in interstellar space.

[Agartha]

This, to me, proves that there's got to be life out there.... somewhere....

Complex Organic molecules found in interstellar space.

Astronomers have identified the first signs of life-bearing chemistry at the center of the galaxy.

The building blocks of life appear to be widespread throughout the universe according to scientists who have discovered iso-propyl cyanide, a molecule with a structure similar to that of known complex organic molecules, within a star-forming cloud located more than 27,000 light years from the Earth.

While other organic molecules have been found before, iso-propyl cyanide is the first to have a branched carbon backbone

The molecule was discovered using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile.

"Our goal is to search for new complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium," said Dr Arnaud Belloche from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. "The idea is to know whether the elements that are necessary for life to occur can be found in other places in our galaxy."

The discovery is a promising sign that these elements are common throughout interstellar space.

"It's a step closer to discovering molecules that can be regarded as the building blocks or the precursors… of amino acids," said Prof Matt Griffin. "That's what everyone would like to see."

To read the whole article: LINK

[Monk (in hiding)]

yeahbut, you were learned space is a vacuum. lsol

[Rockhopper]

Nope we weren't taught that.

Yep Ags, organic molecules are very common through our Solar System and even further afield.

Given the right circumstances, organic life MUST exist, all the building blocks are there.

[Agartha]

VM,  space is not a perfect vacuum, it's actually a plasma that contains hydrogen and helium particles. Of course, it's still 'vacuum enough' to damage humans if we were not to wear protective suits in space. Oh, and the fact that there's no oxygen in space! lol

Yes, Tim: organic molecules are everywhere. Life is out there... and if plankton were found alive outside the ISS, having survived cosmic radiation, zero gravity, low temperatures....... who knows what's out there?

[Rockhopper]

Yep Ags. Interstellar Space has about 15million atoms of H2, He and N2 per cubic metre.

Compare that with our atmosphere that has about 6000 trillion atoms in the same space.

Tim.

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