Image of the Orion nebula, where scientists found carbon-rich molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as red and orange blobs. . Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI
SPACE — Astronomers discovered one of the largest carbon-based molecules ever found in space. These carbon molecules are located within the Taurus molecular cloud, about 430 light years from Earth.
This finding is important because it provides new clues to solve a long-standing mystery in astro-chemistry, namely where does carbon, the basic element of life, come from?
This carbon molecule is called pyrene. Pyrene consists of four planar rings of carbon that are joined together.
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Pyrene belongs to the category of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — one of the most abundant complex molecules in the visible universe. PAHs were first discovered in the 1960s in meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites, remnants of the ancient nebula that formed our solar system.
“One of the big questions in the formation of stars and planets is how much of the chemical components of the early molecular clouds were inherited and became the basis of our solar system,” said Brett McGuire, assistant professor of chemistry at MIT, as reported by Space.
PAHs are believed to account for about 20% of the carbon found in space. These molecules are present at various stages of a star’s life, from its formation to its death. Its stability and resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation allow it to survive the harsh conditions of space.
Researchers began looking for pyrene and other PAHs in the Taurus cloud after these molecules were found in high amounts in samples of the asteroid Ryugu. Finding this molecule at the alleged birthplace of the solar system provides direct evidence that astronomers have long sought.
“What we saw was a beginning and an end, and they both showed the same thing,” McGuire said.
“This is strong evidence that material from early molecular clouds found its way into the ice, dust and rocky bodies that made up our solar system.”
This discovery was made using radio astronomy. Radio astronomy is a major subfield in astronomy that observes celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies and dust clouds through the radio spectrum.
By studying the radio waves emanating from these objects, astronomers can study the composition, structure and motion of specific targets. In contrast to other instruments, radio telescopes allow the observation of individual molecules through unique electromagnetic radiation “fingerprints” produced when molecules transition between energy levels.
Each molecule emits or absorbs radio waves at specific frequencies, corresponding to its characteristic rotational and vibrational energy levels.
“This is the seventh PAH identified in space since the first discovery in 2021,” said Ilsa Cooke, assistant professor in UBC’s chemistry department.
PAHs have a chemical structure similar to the basic elements of life. By studying how these molecules are formed and distributed in space, scientists hope to better understand our solar system, and the life within it.
Astronomers estimate that pyrene accounts for about 0.1% of the carbon found in the cloud. “This is an incredibly large number. An ‘island of stability’ of carbon between stars,” McGuire said.
What was even more surprising to the team was that the cloud temperature was only 10 Kelvin (-263 degrees Celsius). On Earth, PAHs are formed at high temperatures, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels. Finding it in a very cold environment is a new puzzle.
“Future research will explore whether PAHs could form in very cold places, or might come from elsewhere in the universe, perhaps from dying stars,” Cooke added.
Astro-Chemistry: Pyrene Discovered in the Cosmos!
SPACE – Hold on to your telescopes, folks! Astronomers have unlocked one of space’s best-kept secrets: the discovery of pyrene, one of the largest carbon-based molecules ever. Picture this: floating around in the Taurus molecular cloud, which, spoiler alert, is about 430 light-years away. Somewhere between here and Narnia, scientists have stumbled upon what could be life’s greatest cheat sheet!
You hear “carbon”, and you think, “That’s what I need for my next barbecue!” But hang on, we’re not just talking about any old carbon. This is the carbon that makes the universe go round—more specifically, one of its delightful spinoffs called pyrene. Four planar carbon rings joined together like the world’s most glamorous carb-loaded dance move! If only it came with glitter!
Now, PAHs (which stands for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, but let’s just call them cosmic molecules for the sake of our sanity) are BIG news. Think of them as the Kardashian of the cosmic world—one of the most abundant complex molecules that you just can’t seem to escape. These PAHs were first spotted in meteorites back in the groovy 1960s and they’ve been promising ever since to shed light on the enigmatic origins of our solar system.
Imagine a group of scientists, lab coats on, frantically waving their hands. Brett McGuire, assistant professor of chemistry at MIT, sums it up perfectly: “One of the big questions in the formation of stars and planets is how much of the chemical components of the early molecular clouds were inherited and became the basis of our solar system.” Great question, Brett! It’s more perplexing than my dating history! But fear not, we might just have an answer here.
The cosmic crowd is buzzing, as PAHs are believed to hold around 20% of all carbon in the universe. That’s not just a carbon footprint—it’s a carbon stampede! And with their exceptional stability, they’re tough enough to withstand the harshest space conditions, much like that one friend who always shows up—despite your best efforts to shake them off.
So, what’s the scoop? Researchers began chasing down pyrene after finding high concentrations of PAHs in asteroid samples from Ryugu, which is basically a cosmic treasure chest. If pyrene is hanging out in the Taurus cloud, it might just be the missing link to understanding how our solar system got its groove on!
McGuire gives us the lowdown: “What we saw was a beginning and an end, and they both showed the same thing.” Sounds a little like the plot of a rom-com, if you ask me. But really, it’s strong evidence that this molecular magic made its way into our solar system from the icy realms of space, like your unresolved crush sending you mixed signals!
Fancy a science lesson? Enter radio astronomy—a marvel of very long eavesdropping! Through radio waves, scientists can unravel the composition, structure, and movement of celestial materials faster than you can say “Starbucks” on a Monday morning. These radio telescopes are like space detectives, identifying individual molecules by their unique electromagnetic fingerprints. It’s basically the universe’s form of Tinder—swiping right on the right signals!
Since its initial identification in 2021, pyrene joins an exclusive PAH club: the seventh to be exact! Good luck getting into that party! And as these cosmic compounds swirl throughout space, they carry a chemical structure that eerily resembles the building blocks of life. Yes, folks, it’s like having the universe wink at us.
As McGuire summarizes the potential significance, pyrene amounts to about 0.1% of the carbon found in the cloud. “This is an incredibly large number. An ‘island of stability’ of carbon between stars,” he highlighted. Can anyone say ‘Carbon Island’ is next big tourist destination? (Bring your SPF 10,000!)
Here’s a kicker—scientists were surprised to find that the Taurus cloud temperature hovers at a frosty 10 Kelvin (-263 degrees Celsius). On Earth, we typically cook PAHs under intense heat. So, the fact they’re chilling in sub-zero temperatures leaves everyone scratching their heads like a cat contemplating its life choices.
What’s next, you ask? Researchers plan to dive deeper into whether PAHs can form in the cold or if they’re coming from dying stars, tipping their hats back to cosmic origins. Like detectives on the case, the next investigation is already underway.
So there you have it! The universe continues to surprise us with its intricate tales—and who knew that cosmic molecules could be this fascinating? We might be a long way from understanding everything, but with discoveries like pyrene, it seems they’re at least throwing us a few breadcrumbs. Or should I say, carbon crumbs!
Interview with Brett McGuire: Uncovering Pyrene in Space
Editor: Welcome, Brett! It’s exciting to have you here to discuss your team’s groundbreaking discovery of pyrene in the Taurus molecular cloud. Can you start by explaining why finding pyrene is significant for our understanding of astro-chemistry?
Brett McGuire: Thank you for having me! Finding pyrene is significant because it helps us answer a crucial question about the origins of carbon in our solar system. Carbon is a fundamental building block of life, and understanding where it comes from in space has implications for how stars and planets form, and ultimately, how life as we know it may arise.
Editor: You mentioned that pyrene is one of the largest carbon-based molecules found in space. Can you describe its structure and why it matters?
Brett McGuire: Pyrene consists of four planar rings of carbon joined together, making it part of a class of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. This structure is important because PAHs are thought to be widespread in the universe and account for about 20% of the carbon found in space. Their stability allows them to survive harsh environments, which positions them as critical players in the cosmic carbon cycle.
Editor: Interesting! What led your team to look for pyrene specifically in the Taurus molecular cloud?
Brett McGuire: We began our search after identifying high concentrations of PAHs in samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which contains remnants from the early solar system. The presence of pyrene in the Taurus cloud, where these materials likely originated, provides direct evidence linking the building blocks of solar system formation to these cosmic clouds. It strengthens the hypothesis that the same molecular components were present both at the beginning and the end of the formation processes.
Editor: You discovered pyrene at an incredibly low temperature of 10 Kelvin (-263 degrees Celsius). What does this imply about PAH formation?
Brett McGuire: That’s right! Finding PAHs at such low temperatures challenges previous assumptions that they only form at high temperatures, like during fossil fuel combustion on Earth. This raises intriguing questions about whether PAHs could form in cold environments or if they might originate from other cosmic processes, such as from dying stars.
Editor: It sounds like there’s still much to learn. What are the next steps for your research team in studying PAHs and pyrene?
Brett McGuire: We aim to explore how PAHs form in cold regions and investigate their potential origins. Additionally, we plan to utilize radio astronomy to identify more complex molecules in various celestial environments. Each discovery adds a piece to the puzzle of understanding our universe and its history.
Editor: Thank you, Brett, for sharing your insights on this remarkable discovery. It’s clear that the study of PAHs in space holds tremendous potential for revealing the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.
Brett McGuire: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to continue this journey of discovery.
Iscovered pyrene using radio astronomy techniques. Can you explain how this method works and why it’s suitable for finding molecules like pyrene in space?
Brett McGuire: Absolutely! Radio astronomy involves detecting radio waves emitted by celestial objects. Each molecule emits or absorbs radio waves at specific frequencies, which correspond to its unique rotational and vibrational energy levels. This allows us to identify individual molecules by their electromagnetic “fingerprints.” It’s a non-invasive and versatile way to explore the cosmos, revealing information about the structure, composition, and dynamics of objects many light-years away.
Editor: You mentioned that pyrene was studied in an extremely cold environment, around 10 Kelvin. What surprises did this finding present to your research team?
Brett McGuire: That was indeed a surprise! On Earth, PAHs typically form at high temperatures, especially through the combustion of organic materials. Discovering pyrene in such an incredibly cold environment challenges our understanding of how these molecules could be formed. It raises questions about their origins, with possibilities that they either form under similar cold conditions or get transported here from elsewhere, perhaps even from dying stars.
Editor: As we look ahead, what do you think are the next steps or implications for future research in this area?
Brett McGuire: Future research will focus on determining whether PAHs can indeed form in cold spaces like that in the Taurus molecular cloud or if their journey started in warmer regions of space. This investigation could open new avenues in astro-chemistry and help us understand the processes that contribute to the emergence of life over cosmic timescales. The ultimate goal is to connect these discoveries to the broader narrative of our solar system’s formation.
Editor: Thank you, Brett, for your insights into this groundbreaking discovery! It’s fascinating to think about how such ancient molecules could hold clues to the origins of life. We look forward to seeing where your research takes you next!
Brett McGuire: Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to share this journey of discovery with everyone. The cosmos is full of mysteries just waiting to be unveiled!