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Science-Technology Title: Astronomers discover complex organic matter in the universe Astronomers discover complex organic matter in the universe In today's issue of the journal Nature, astronomers report that organic compounds of unexpected complexity exist throughout the Universe. The results suggest that complex organic compounds are not the sole domain of life but can be made naturally by stars. Prof. Sun Kwok and Dr. Yong Zhang of the University of Hong Kong show that an organic substance commonly found throughout the Universe contains a mixture of aromatic (ring-like) and aliphatic (chain-like) components. The compounds are so complex that their chemical structures resemble those of coal and petroleum. Since coal and oil are remnants of ancient life, this type of organic matter was thought to arise only from living organisms. The team's discovery suggests that complex organic compounds can be synthesized in space even when no life forms are present. The researchers investigated an unsolved phenomenon: a set of infrared emissions detected in stars, interstellar space, and galaxies. These spectral signatures are known as "Unidentified Infrared Emission features". For over two decades, the most commonly accepted theory on the origin of these signatures has been that they come from simple organic molecules made of carbon and hydrogen atoms, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. From observations taken by the Infrared Space Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope, Kwok and Zhang showed that the astronomical spectra have features that cannot be explained by PAH molecules. Instead, the team proposes that the substances generating these infrared emissions have chemical structures that are much more complex. By analyzing spectra of star dust formed in exploding stars called novae, they show that stars are making these complex organic compounds on extremely short time scales of weeks. Not only are stars producing this complex organic matter, they are also ejecting it into the general interstellar space, the region between stars. The work supports an earlier idea proposed by Kwok that old stars are molecular factories capable of manufacturing organic compounds. "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." Most interestingly, this organic star dust is similar in structure to complex organic compounds found in meteorites. Since meteorites are remnants of the early Solar System, the findings raise the possibility that stars enriched the early Solar System with organic compounds. The early Earth was subjected to severe bombardments by comets and asteroids, which potentially could have carried organic star dust. Whether these delivered organic compounds played any role in the development of life on Earth remains an open question. ### Prof. Sun Kwok is the Dean of Science and Chair Professor of Physics of the University of Hong Kong. He serves as Vice President of Division VI (interstellar matter) of the International Astronomical Union, and is the incoming Vice President of Commission 51 (bioastronomy) of the International Astronomical Union. He has published many books, including the recent book "Organic Matter in the Universe" (Wiley, 2011). Dr. Yong Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong. This work was supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Whether these delivered organic compounds played any role in the development of life on Earth remains an open question. I remember hearing this theory in 9th grade biology and at once felt a connection to the song Woodstock that I had not previously felt. I still remember that moment. Then I went and got stoned at lunch. I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #2. To: war (#1) My HS biology teacher was Brother Donald in the 10th grade. I earned a 90 on the NY State Regents Exam. He was strict and I don't know how I did that.
#3. To: Fred Mertz (#2) Ours was team taught by "The Bills"...three teachers...all named "Bill" I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #4. To: war (#3) I vaguely remember when we were dissecting frogs, one of them had a paper note in its mouth that said, "Don't cut me up!"
#5. To: Fred Mertz (#4) Weird...mine had a perfectly preserved .380 caliber shell in it with "BOOFER" scratched on the side... I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #6. To: Fred Mertz (#4) I'm assuming the frog had croaked by then. #7. To: war (#5) Hey, I'm being an honest Indian right now. The note wasn't in my frog but one of my classmate's.
#8. To: Ferret Mike (#6) Yes, they were all dead when we put them under the scalpel. I suppose it was a learning experience.
#9. To: Fred Mertz (#7) It was hilarious, I'm sure... I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #10. To: Fred Mertz (#8) Did you get my bad pun... *Croak* *Rippit* ..... guess ya didn't. That's OK; that's why I keep the day job and stay out of comedy clubs ;-D #11. To: Ferret Mike (#10) I did get it, but I didn't want to be accused of being a frog killer. The adults did that croaking frogs act - for our education, of course.
#12. To: Fred Mertz (#11) "I did get it, but I didn't want to be accused of being a frog killer...." .... or a tadpole raper. #13. To: Fred Mertz, war (#11) So what did you all learn from dissecting frogs? I never did it myself. I always hated wet science.
#14. To: Skip Intro (#13) (Edited) I learned that if I did all of the work, a certain girl gave me tit over the shirt the next weekend...and several weekends thereafter... Then I got bored and found another one to impress some how... I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #15. To: Skip Intro (#13) (Edited) So what did you all learn from dissecting frogs? They have strong legs and big eyes and webbed feet. Yeah, I know. I didn't have to cut them open to learn that.
#16. To: Fred Mertz (#15) Kidding aside, I rocked at dissections. Senior year in Bio II we actually used ether to anesthesize a live rat, cut into it and removed one of its kidneys. I was the only one who did not kill the rat with the ether and my rat, scar and all, was still alive on the day I graduated. I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... #17. To: war (#16) Bravo, Dr. Mengele.
#18. To: Fred Mertz (#17) HA...yea...in retrospect... I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one... Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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