Posted on 03/12/2010 12:23:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
The chemical fingerprints of potentially life-building molecules have been detected in the Orion nebula by Europe's Herschel Space Observatory.
The Orion nebula is a nearby stellar nursery, brimming with gas, dust and infant stars. It is known to be one of the most prolific chemical factories in space, although the full extent of its chemistry and the pathways for molecule formation are not well understood.
Researchers have used one of Herschel's instruments, which looks at the cosmos in the far infrared wavelengths of light, to provide more insight into how organic molecules form in space.
By sifting through the pattern of spikes in Orion nebula's light signature, or spectrum, astronomers have identified a few common molecules that are precursors to life-enabling molecules, including water, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, methanol, dimethyl ether, hydrogen cyanide, sulfur oxide and sulfur dioxide. Each spike in the spectrum corresponds to a particular molecule.
"This HIFI spectrum, and the many more to come, will provide a virtual treasure trove of information regarding the overall chemical inventory and on how organics form in a region of active star formation. It harbors the promise of a deep understanding of the chemistry of space once we have the full spectral surveys available," said Edwin Bergin of the University of Michigan and the principal investigator of the HEXOS Key Program on Herschel.
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Data, called a spectrum, showing water and organics in the Orion nebula. The data were taken by the heterodyne instrument for the far infrared, or HIFI, onboard the Herschel Space Observatory, a European Space Agency-led mission with important participation from NASA. Credit: ESA/NASA/JPL-Caltech
If those same chemicals were found in the atmosphere of earth, they’d be pollutants................
Herschel Astronomers’ website
http://herschel.esac.esa.int/
AHA!
So it's the Orion NEBULA that's causing global warming.
L. Ron Hubbard fan, are we?............
I saw them last year but I was too lazy to report it.
Strange note, eh?
I guess it depends on what spiral arm of the galaxy ya come from or sumthin’. ;-)
“Theories exist that past civilizations on earth have links to Orion.”
No way. Life, however, is very, very common in the universe.
slacker! :-]
the more cheese, the chewier the forum..
I don’t know. Why not?
Distance to an advanced race of critters would seem surmountable if they had some luck and avoided cosmic sinkholes along the way.. and look how many books are out there about our connections to ancients and star travelers and such.
Decent enough book. Horrible movie.
I read it when I had no idea who L Ron Hubbard was.
Anyway, someone must have a pretty good telescope to find molecules.
I’ll do better next time. But just to alert everyone I saw life enabling molecules floating around Sigma Draconis last month. Next to the crater that looks like two puppies dancing.
No ethanol?
They analyze the light with a spectroscope. Each chemical has an identifying light absorption signature.
No ethanol. Apparently aliens are teetotalers...............
They’re sticking with wood alcohol, methanol.
Sigma Draconis ?
dwoof dwoof.. Got it!
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