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Hunting from a distance of 27,000 light years, astronomers have discovered an unusual carbon-based molecule -- one with a branched structure -- contained within a giant gas cloud in interstellar space. Like finding a molecular needle in a cosmic haystack, astronomers have detected radio waves emitted by isopropyl cyanide. The discovery suggests that the complex molecules needed for life may have their origins in interstellar space.
Organic molecules usually found in these star-forming regions consist of a single "backbone" of carbon atoms arranged in a straight chain. But the carbon structure of isopropyl cyanide branches off, making it the first interstellar detection of such a molecule, says Rob Garrod, Cornell senior research associate at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research.
This detection opens a new frontier in the complexity of molecules that can be formed in interstellar space and that might ultimately find their way to the surfaces of planets, says Garrod. The branched carbon structure of isopropyl cyanide is a common feature in molecules that are needed for life -- such as amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. This new discovery lends weight to the idea that biologically crucial molecules, like amino acids that are commonly found in meteorites, are produced early in the process of star formation -- even before planets such as Earth are formed.
originally posted by: Snarl
'They' could say anything they want ... and nobody on these boards could disprove it
The search for molecules in interstellar space began in the 1960's, and around 180 different molecular species have been discovered so far. Each type of molecule emits light at particular wavelengths, in its own characteristic pattern, or spectrum, acting like a fingerprint that allows it to be detected in space using radio telescopes.
For all we know, as everything is made of energy/atoms, we could be part of the universe.
originally posted by: Snarl
Come on ... seriously? 27,000 lightyears away? 'They' could say anything they want ... and nobody on these boards could disprove it ... so it's automatically believable?
Source:Cornell
Spectrometers take a signal from whatever they are looking at (whether it is a rock, or a cloud or a whole planet or a star or a galaxy or a nebula, etc.) and spread the signal out into its components. Most spectrometers work with light and are a lot like extremely good prisms; they take the light coming from some object and separate it out into its colors. This is useful because it turns out that every element on the periodic table only gives off light of a few certain colors. So if we spread out the light coming from some object and see only certain colors, then we can match thoses colors to the elements that produce them. It's as if everything in the universe has a hidden fingerprint that we just need to learn how to read.
The molecules listed below were detected by spectroscopy. Their spectral features are generated by transitions of component electrons between different energy levels, or by rotational or vibrational spectra. Detection usually occurs in radio, microwave, or infrared portions of the spectrum.[1]
Interstellar molecules are formed by chemical reactions within very sparse interstellar or circumstellar clouds of dust and gas. Usually this occurs when a molecule becomes ionized, often as the result of an interaction with a cosmic ray. This positively charged molecule then draws in a nearby reactant by electrostatic attraction of the neutral molecule's electrons. Molecules can also be generated by reactions between neutral atoms and molecules, although this process is generally slower.[2] The dust plays a critical role of shielding the molecules from the ionizing effect of ultraviolet radiation emitted by stars.[3]
AINC Aluminium isocyanide[27] Mass 53
The discovery suggests that the complex molecules needed for life may have their origins in interstellar space.
…the complex molecules needed for life…
originally posted by: stirling
These are what are called the life bringers.....that's their job on the hierarchy of our universe.....
originally posted by: Snarl
Come on ... seriously? 27,000 lightyears away? 'They' could say anything they want ... and nobody on these boards could disprove it ... so it's automatically believable?
originally posted by: Sabiduria
a reply to: boncho
In that theory, the Universe would be sentient/omnipotent. The Universe was curious & decided to play out every single thing ever imaginable plus unimaginable. We would have been created by the Universe and are playing out our lives for the Universe.
I know that we are all made of energy/atoms, which is essentially stardust because stardust is made up of energy/atoms. Everything is made up of energy/atoms/stardust, chairs, houses, cars, everything.
If aliens messed with our genome or a trickster God willed us into being, it's the Universe's decision.