Complex organic molecules found in interstellar space
A team of scientists from the Astrophysics Institute of Canarias (IAC) and the University of Texas succeeded in identifying one of the more complex organic molecules found so far in the matter between the stars, called interstellar space. The discovery of anthracene could help solve a mystery decades-old astrophysicist on the production of organic molecules in space.
The researchers reported their findings in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
‘We have detected the presence of anthracene molecules in dense cloud in the direction of the star Cernis 52 in Perseus, about 700 light years from the Sun, “said Susana Iglesias Groth, an author of the study.
In his view, the next step is to investigate the presence of amino acids. Molecules such as anthracene, when subjected to ultraviolet radiation and combined with water and ammonia, could produce amino acids and other compounds essential for the development of life
“Two years ago,” says Iglesias, “We found evidence of the existence of another organic molecule, naphthalene, in the same place, so everything indicates that we have discovered a rich star-forming region in prebiotic chemistry. So far, the anthracene was detected only in meteorites and never in the interstellar medium. The oxidized forms of this molecule are common in living systems and are biochemically active. On our planet, oxidized anthracene is a basic component of aloe vera and anti-inflammatory properties.
The new finding suggests that much of the key components in prebiotic terrestrial chemistry could be present in interstellar matter.
Since the 1980s, hundreds of bands in the spectrum of the interstellar medium, known as diffuse spectroscopic bands have been associated with interstellar matter, but its origin has not been identified so far. Since they are widely distributed in interstellar space, may have played a key role in the production of many organic molecules present at the time of the formation of the Solar System.
The results are based on observations in the Hubble “William Herschel” in the Canary Islands and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Texas in the United States.
