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bngbuck
SFN Addict
USA
2437 Posts |
 Posted - 10/28/2011 : 15:11:07
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From Nature:
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) claim to have solved the mystery of "Unidentified Infrared Emission features" that have been detected in stars, interstellar space, and galaxies. For over two decades, the most commonly accepted theory regarding this phenomenon was that these signatures come from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules - simple organic molecules made of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Now HKU researchers say the substances generating these signatures are actually complex organic compounds that are made naturally by stars and ejected into interstellar space.
The team of Prof. Sun Kwok and Dr. Yong Zhang used observations taken by the Infrared Space Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope of stardust formed in exploding stars called novae to show that the astronomical spectra contain a mixture of aromatic (ring-like) and aliphatic (chain-like) components that cannot be explained by PAH molecules.
The researchers say the substances generating these infrared emissions actually have chemical structures that are so complex that their structure resembles those of coal and petroleum. Since coal and petroleum are remnants of ancient life and this type of organic matter was only thought to arise from living organisms, the researchers say this suggests that complex organic compounds can be synthesized in space even when no life forms are present.
Supporting an earlier idea by Kwok that old stars are molecular factories capable of manufacturing organic compounds, they say that not only are stars producing this complex matter on extremely short time scales of weeks, but they are also ejecting it into the general interstellar space in between stars.
"Our work has shown that stars have no problem making complex organic compounds under near-vacuum conditions," says Kwok. "Theoretically, this is impossible, but observationally we can see it happening."
As the organic stardust is similar in structure to complex organic compounds found in meteorites, the findings raise the possibility that stars enriched the early solar system with organic compounds. With the Earth being bombarded by comets and meteorites early in its life that could potentially have carried the organic stardust, there is a possibility that the seeds of life on Earth were sown by organic compounds created naturally by stars. If that turns out to be the case, it has obvious implications for the chances of life outside our solar system as the complex organic compounds exist throughout the Universe.
Kwok and Zhang's Paper, Mixed aromatic-aliphatic organic nanoparticles as carriers of unidentified infrared emission features is published this month in the journal Nature. |
If this research proves to be substantive, it certainly may have an impact on the science of biology.
Did evolution (and possibly even life) begin with primordial Adam and Eve organic compounds originating in a distant star?
Anyone here with substantial education or professional experience in astrophysics, microbiology and/or biochemistry care to comment?
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26020 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 21:08:33 [Permalink]
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Since complex organic molecules are easy to synthesize in under plausible early-Earth conditions, there's really no need to speculate that extra-terrestrial sources "seeded" the planet.
Interstellar organics would have to survive lots of ionizing radiation from a new Sun, the extreme conditions of the very early Earth, and/or the trauma of falling through the atmosphere (either nakedly, or on some dust speck small enough to not heat up a lot).
My guess would be that molecules capable of reproduction and evolution couldn't make the trip. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
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Why not question something for a change?
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9687 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2011 : 01:42:38 [Permalink]
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| Such molecules would be present in the proto stellar cloud, and present during the very formation of earth. Question is, how stable those molecules are. As Earth formed, it was a ball of molten rock with the temperatures that comes with it. Comets (which were plentiful during, and shortly after the formation of the solar system) would be contaminated by these compounds, and could be introduced to earth once it started cooling down enough for the molecules to survive. |
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sailingsoul
SFN Addict
2830 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2011 : 06:06:12 [Permalink]
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[i]Originally posted by Dave W.,,, (either nakedly, or on some dust speck small enough to not heat up a lot).
My guess would be that molecules capable of reproduction and evolution couldn't make the trip.
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There are animals that can survive exposure to the extreme conditions and radiation out there. These are possibly small enough to make an entry I would think but who knows. |
There are only two types of religious people, the deceivers and the deceived. SS |
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chefcrsh
Skeptic Friend
Hong Kong
380 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2011 : 06:59:22 [Permalink]
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| Well either way, it was star stuff that came from interstellar space... |
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Origin of the seeds of Life?
