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Life-Forming Chemicals Found in Distant Galaxy
by Discovery News
Thanks to Carmine Bello for the link.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/01/17/galaxy-amino-acid.html
Life-Forming Chemicals Found in Distant Galaxy
Irene Klotz, Discovery News
Jan. 17, 2008 -- Radio astronomers collecting data from a galaxy about 250 million light-years from Earth recently stumbled upon something intriguing: building blocks for life.
The astronomers were testing a new, highly sensitive science instrument at the Arecibo Observatory and set their sights on a distant galaxy that seldom disappoints: the ultra-luminous, dual-core Arp 220, a veritable factory for star production.
Arp 220 is so thick with stars that astronomers estimate supernovas, the suicidal explosions of young massive stars, are happening four times a year, as compared to our own relatively quiescent Milky Way galaxy, with a supernova about every half-century or so.
So it was with an open mind and no set agenda that astronomers collected data for about 30 hours last April using a device that analyzes multiple frequencies simultaneously. The instrument can detect chemicals that incoming radio waves have passed through before reaching the telescope's collecting dish.
What they found, however, was totally unexpected: methanimine and hydrogen cyanide.
The discovery, which was unveiled at the American Astronomical Society conference in Austin, Texas, last week, is significant because methanimine and hydrogen cyanide are building blocks for amino acids, the foundation of life.
"Methanimine has barely been seen in our own galaxy," Arecibo astronomer Christopher Salter told Discovery News. "Nobody had looked for it in deep space."
Typically, astronomers use their precious telescope time to search for specific molecules or atoms. The new wide-band spectrometer at Arecibo can digest 800 megahertz chunks of data at a time.
Salter and his colleagues didn't even realize what they had found until they looked up what chemicals matched the distinctive patterns found in their data.
"We found we had discovered methanimine," Salter said.
Scientists are now combing through their data to see if they can detect the simplest amino acid, glycine, which forms when methanimine and hydrogen cyanide are combined with water.
"The fact that we can observe these substances at such a vast distance means that there are huge amounts of them in Arp 220," said Emmanuel Momjian, a former Arecibo astronomer, now at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, N.M.
"It is very intriguing to find that the ingredients of life appear in large quantities where new stars and planets are born."
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/01/17/galaxy-amino-acid.html
Life-Forming Chemicals Found in Distant Galaxy
Irene Klotz, Discovery News
Jan. 17, 2008 -- Radio astronomers collecting data from a galaxy about 250 million light-years from Earth recently stumbled upon something intriguing: building blocks for life.
The astronomers were testing a new, highly sensitive science instrument at the Arecibo Observatory and set their sights on a distant galaxy that seldom disappoints: the ultra-luminous, dual-core Arp 220, a veritable factory for star production.
Arp 220 is so thick with stars that astronomers estimate supernovas, the suicidal explosions of young massive stars, are happening four times a year, as compared to our own relatively quiescent Milky Way galaxy, with a supernova about every half-century or so.
So it was with an open mind and no set agenda that astronomers collected data for about 30 hours last April using a device that analyzes multiple frequencies simultaneously. The instrument can detect chemicals that incoming radio waves have passed through before reaching the telescope's collecting dish.
What they found, however, was totally unexpected: methanimine and hydrogen cyanide.
The discovery, which was unveiled at the American Astronomical Society conference in Austin, Texas, last week, is significant because methanimine and hydrogen cyanide are building blocks for amino acids, the foundation of life.
"Methanimine has barely been seen in our own galaxy," Arecibo astronomer Christopher Salter told Discovery News. "Nobody had looked for it in deep space."
Typically, astronomers use their precious telescope time to search for specific molecules or atoms. The new wide-band spectrometer at Arecibo can digest 800 megahertz chunks of data at a time.
Salter and his colleagues didn't even realize what they had found until they looked up what chemicals matched the distinctive patterns found in their data.
"We found we had discovered methanimine," Salter said.
Scientists are now combing through their data to see if they can detect the simplest amino acid, glycine, which forms when methanimine and hydrogen cyanide are combined with water.
"The fact that we can observe these substances at such a vast distance means that there are huge amounts of them in Arp 220," said Emmanuel Momjian, a former Arecibo astronomer, now at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, N.M.
"It is very intriguing to find that the ingredients of life appear in large quantities where new stars and planets are born."
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 | PermalinkComments 1 - 50 of 67 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #114479 by Synchronium on January 22, 2008 at 9:33 am
It'll be interesting to see if any glycine is found. Although, even if it were found, all it would mean is that glycine is present, not life itself.A step in the right direction, I suppose...
Other Comments by Synchronium
3. Comment #114481 by Double Bass Atheist on January 22, 2008 at 9:36 am
Astronomers have long said that we are made of "the stuff of stars." He's further evidence. At least that's what I thought when I submitted this link. Apparently Josh used my real name in the credit. Oh well, that's ok Josh… now's as good a time as any to 'come out', and if my devout Christian employers have a problem with that, they can go to their hell! ;-b~Carmine
Other Comments by Double Bass Atheist
4. Comment #114503 by Aaron on January 22, 2008 at 10:36 am
Methamphetamine??? Get me on a rocket ship right...oh wait. Nevermind. Other Comments by Aaron
5. Comment #114505 by tacitus on January 22, 2008 at 10:39 am
Wow! What does this do to Drakes Equation?
Probably not much. The values inserted into the equation are more likely to be influenced by what we discover about extrasolar planets in this galaxy. Once we can start "sniffing" the atmospheres of Earth-like planets (i.e. rocky worlds in the habitable zone), and we will in a decade or two, then we'll be able to start to hone in on the correct values for the equation's terms.
Other Comments by tacitus
6. Comment #114526 by NormanDoering on January 22, 2008 at 11:16 am
Once we can start "sniffing" the atmospheres of Earth-like planets (i.e. rocky worlds in the habitable zone), and we will in a decade or two, then we'll be able to start to hone in on the correct values for the equation's terms.
How do you sniff the atmospheres of Earth-like planets? I assume you're not talking about physically sending probes to those planets to physically sample them.
Other Comments by NormanDoering
7. Comment #114528 by Steve Zara on January 22, 2008 at 11:19 am
How do you sniff the atmospheres of Earth-like planets? I assume you're not talking about physically sending probes to those planets to physically sample them.
Spectroscopy.
Other Comments by Steve Zara
8. Comment #114533 by annabanana on January 22, 2008 at 11:27 am
Norman, it would essentially be the same thing they're doing in the article, it will just be more precisely targeted. Different chemicals express different types of movement due to the nature of their chemical bonds. We have essentially catalogued these movements so that they are fairly easily identifiable.On a side note, if you've ever been through organic chemistry and used the older technology, mass spectroscopy is NOT that easy, but fortunately newer technology than my lab was equipped with is available.
Other Comments by annabanana
9. Comment #114537 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 11:30 am
Please God! let me live long enough to be on the first Starship Mayflower off this rock to the nearest habitable planet so I can escape all this religious insanity. Oh - that's right.
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
10. Comment #114540 by annabanana on January 22, 2008 at 11:35 am
*laughing and crying at the same time* Other Comments by annabanana
11. Comment #114541 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 11:35 am
Ian,I don't know if you are a Star Trek fan (starship reference, sorry), but I simply loved the absence of religion. At the same time the cooperation between various races/species.
Maybe the latter due to the former?
Other Comments by al-rawandi
12. Comment #114544 by tacitus on January 22, 2008 at 11:41 am
It would just be cool if we found some other intelligent species to cooperate with!Other Comments by tacitus
13. Comment #114546 by Steve Zara on January 22, 2008 at 11:44 am
I don't know if you are a Star Trek fan (starship reference, sorry), but I simply loved the absence of religion. At the same time the cooperation between various races/species.
Absence of religion? What about the Bajorans? What about the Klingons?
Other Comments by Steve Zara
14. Comment #114549 by JSW on January 22, 2008 at 11:52 am
The Klingons didn't mention their religion in Star Trek other than to state that they had no devil. There was no species called "Bajorans" mentioned at all.You must be thinking of one of those other shows.
Other Comments by JSW
15. Comment #114568 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Ahhh.. Busted! I am a closet Star Trek fan - please don't out me I am not ready to come out yet!To show how deep the nerdyness runs I refer you to episode 14, season 1 "Balance of terror" which begins with Kirk officiating at the marriage of two crew members. Before the ceremony is interrupted by the Romulans Kirk makes an allusion to faith with the following:
"In accordance with our many beliefs..."
That is the only clear reference to the existence of religion I remember in the Original series. Steve is right to mention that in the spin offs it became much more explicit. Shame really.
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
16. Comment #114594 by BrandonB on January 22, 2008 at 12:47 pm
JSW, Steve is refering to the Bajorans of "The Next Generation", "Deep Space Nine", etc. They had all these silly rituals and prophecies.BTW, I've been lurking here reading the articles and all of your comments for a while now, but I just registered today. Nice to finally "meet" you!
Other Comments by BrandonB
17. Comment #114596 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Welcome BrandonB!This is the best site in the Alpha Quadrant.
:-)
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
18. Comment #114602 by obscured by clouds on January 22, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Apparently Josh used my real name in the credit. Oh well, that's ok Josh… now's as good a time as any to 'come out', and if my devout Christian employers have a problem with that, they can go to their hell! ;-b
Sorry that was me!
Other Comments by obscured by clouds
19. Comment #114603 by hurrican on January 22, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Only thing was that the Bajorans gods were actually wormhole aliens.Other Comments by hurrican
20. Comment #114605 by tacitus on January 22, 2008 at 1:02 pm
The Original Series had an episode called "Bread and Circuses" set on an Earth-like planet where the equivalent of the Roman Empire never fell. It involved a cult who were supposedly "sun" worshippers, but it turns out at the end they are "son" worshippers -- i.e. the "Son of God". I haven't seen the episode in many years but I seem to recall that after all was revealed, the show ended with the cast all giving each other "significant looks".A pretty heavy dose of religion if you ask me, to the point of addressing the question if the Christian God exists then will other planets have their own messiahs?
Other Comments by tacitus
21. Comment #114606 by Steve Zara on January 22, 2008 at 1:04 pm
The Klingons didn't mention their religion in Star Trek other than to state that they had no devil.
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Klingon_mythology
Other Comments by Steve Zara
22. Comment #114607 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Comment #114605 by tacitus:A pretty heavy dose of religion if you ask me
You are right! How could I have forgotten that one. Probably because it's a really crap episode. :-)
But yes, that one was pretty awful in its pandering to Christianity.
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
23. Comment #114615 by happinessiseasy on January 22, 2008 at 1:26 pm
The new wide-band spectrometer at Arecibo can digest 800 megahertz chunks of data at a time.
Uhh... Megahertz is not an amount; it's a rate. It's like saying "This car can travel 32 miles per hour at a time."
Maybe they meant Megabytes? Or maybe they meant the CPU operates at 800 MHz. Either way, wtf?
Other Comments by happinessiseasy
24. Comment #114622 by Steve Zara on January 22, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Uhh... Megahertz is not an amount; it's a rate. It's like saying "This car can travel 32 miles per hour at a time."
No, in this case it is an amount. It means it can deal with all frequencies within a range of 0-800MHz from a given frequency.
Other Comments by Steve Zara
25. Comment #114624 by Friend Giskard on January 22, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Just to add all that I know about religion in Star Trek.I remember in one of the original episodes, Kirk and the crew meet Apollo, last survivor of the ancient gods who once lived on Earth. Near the the end Kirk makes a statement to the effect that we don't need those gods anymore because one god is enough for us.
In contrast, though, check out Picard's explicitly atheistic rant against religion in an episode called "Who Watches the Watchers".
Other Comments by Friend Giskard
26. Comment #114625 by happinessiseasy on January 22, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Ah. It can digest chunks or data 800MHz wide. That makes more sense. I'm a computer scientist, rather than a "Spectroscopist" or something similar. Other Comments by happinessiseasy
27. Comment #114634 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Ian,My post got lost.
But I would say that Picard would say "engage" and not invoke Jesus power. The Klingons had a sort of religion, but they were portrayed as violent and backward, which seems to be endemic to the religious in any galaxy.
Whatever religion there was, it was very marginal. Starfleet was not a religious institution, the crew members were not portrayed as religious in their personal lives.
I also need to say that as a yougin' that I grew up around Star Trek TNG. So I am biased to that representation of the show.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
28. Comment #114636 by MPhil on January 22, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Ah yes, Friend Giskard - the wonderful speech:"Millennia ago, they abandoned their belief in the supernatural. Now you are asking me to sabotage that achievement, to send them back into the Dark Ages of superstition and ignorance and fear. No! We will find some way to undo the damage we've caused."
Add to that that Roddenberry was a staunch anti-clericalist and atheist
But there are a few more episodes in which this becomes clear. Some in TOS. Sadly, it went all wrong with the later seasons of DS9, but what the hell...
Btw and back on topic - cool news!
Other Comments by MPhil
29. Comment #114641 by epeeist on January 22, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Comment #114528 by Steve ZaraSpecifically microwave spectroscopy. They will be looking for the rotational spectrum of molecules. A fair number have been found, glycine has been claimed but not confirmed.Spectroscopy.
How do you sniff the atmospheres of Earth-like planets?
There is a substantial amount of ethanol out there, even if methamphetamine hasn't been found.
Other Comments by epeeist
30. Comment #114648 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Well, when Star Trek went down the tubes with "enterprise" and their ridiculous plot lines I defected and became a Battle Galactica fan.They unashamedly put religion in that show and made it a major plot point. I'm interested to see where they go with it if they ever make the fourth series.
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
31. Comment #114652 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Ian,Rodenberry died, and things changed. I gave up on the new show "Enterprise". I watch occasionally, but I stick with the core; Family Guy, South Park, Law and Order, Stargate(s), among a few others.
I never got into Gallactica, I was still bothered by the Zylons in the original movie. So unbelievable, yet so scary.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
32. Comment #114653 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Ian,Oh and a wonderful American show about an asshole atheist Dr., called "House". Reminds me of myself in almost every way.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
33. Comment #114656 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Oh, I'm a big House fan.At first I was very uncomfortable with dopey George from Blackadder as a smart wisecracking doctor with a funny accent but it grew on me.
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
34. Comment #114662 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 2:24 pm
...Anyway... trying to get back on topic, sort of, if they found a habitable planet within say 20 light years wouldn't you want to sign up for that trip? Even if it means going in suspended animation for a hundred years while you accelerate out there then decelerate at a reasonable fraction of the speed of light. Ahh.. I know. The assholes left behind will catch you up when they invent warp drive - overtake you and have a fucking prayer rug or baptizing bath waiting for you when you arrive.
Relativity I curse thee!
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
35. Comment #114669 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Ian,House, Accent? I though he had just learned to speak normally.
I would think about signing up for a trip to a habitable planet so long as the following were present, or brought along.
1) Beer
2) Beer
3) Beer
4) Nubile Women
5) Golf Course
6) Hunting
7) Fishing
8) Beer
Then I would sign up.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
36. Comment #114691 by Zakie Chan on January 22, 2008 at 3:02 pm
We should play a game. If life of some sort is ever found, what verse do you think Christians will pull from the Bible to say "the Bible said it all along!" Other Comments by Zakie Chan
37. Comment #114716 by MelM on January 22, 2008 at 3:57 pm
It's my expectation that some time in this century, Physical Cosmology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_cosmology) and Origins of Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_life) research will have solved their central problems. At that point, one might hope that religion will no longer have any dark corners to occupy with its holy books, spirit worlds, and miracles.Other Comments by MelM
38. Comment #114719 by Steve Zara on January 22, 2008 at 3:59 pm
At first I was very uncomfortable with dopey George from Blackadder as a smart wisecracking doctor with a funny accent but it grew on me.
I was not just uncomfortable. This was George from Blackadder looking slightly grizzled and with stubble, and looking hot. It was disturbing, I can tell you.
Other Comments by Steve Zara
39. Comment #114728 by JSW on January 22, 2008 at 4:08 pm
JSW, Steve is refering to the Bajorans of "The Next Generation", "Deep Space Nine", etc. They had all these silly rituals and prophecies.I thought we were talking about Star Trek. Why are you bringing those other shows into it?
Other Comments by JSW
40. Comment #114734 by Kakashi_monkey on January 22, 2008 at 4:26 pm
It's always encouraging to hear about possible life in other places in our universe. There's this galaxy, Europa, Mars, and planets in our solar system that all have that potential to have or to have had life. Other Comments by Kakashi_monkey
41. Comment #114736 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I was not just uncomfortable. This was George from Blackadder looking slightly grizzled and with stubble, and looking hot. It was disturbing, I can tell you.
Indeed. My wife has the hots for him too. I may have to sit her down and force her to watch episodes of Blackadder the third some day to cure her of this infatuation.
Prince George: I must say, Blackadder, that was a close shave! Why on earth would an anarchist possibly want to kill *you*?
Edmund: I think it might've been *you* he was after, sir.
Prince George: Oh hogwash! What on earth makes you say that?
Edmund: Well, my suspicions were first aroused by his use of the words, "Death to the stupid Prince!"
:-)
Other Comments by Ian Bamlett
42. Comment #114765 by windfall on January 22, 2008 at 7:02 pm
"The fact that we can observe these substances at such a vast distance means that there are huge amounts of them in Arp 220,"Correction: it means there *were* huge amounts of them 250 million years ago, when the light left the galaxy. ;-)
Other Comments by windfall
43. Comment #114768 by Goldy on January 22, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Indeed. My wife has the hots for him too. I may have to sit her down and force her to watch episodes of Blackadder the third some day to cure her of this infatuation.
Throw in a few episodes of Jeeves and Wooster too :-)
My wife was shocked when I pointed him out in a few Blackadder episodes :-)
Other Comments by Goldy
44. Comment #114770 by MPhil on January 22, 2008 at 7:11 pm
And let's not forget "A bit of Fry and Laurie" as well... absolute genius. Other Comments by MPhil
45. Comment #114771 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Steve,Hot? While I am not gay, I can say that he has a slight horse face going. The sole attraction is the fact that he is an arrogant asshole atheist who is always right, he is three things I am and one I want to be.
Hot, bah.
What about a young Marlon Brando? I can agree with that.
Hugh Laurie.... eewwww
Other Comments by al-rawandi
46. Comment #114772 by Goldy on January 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Al-rawandi, loved your points 1-3 and 8. Nubile women are OK, but they become less so and more naggy with age (an affliction generally remedied by gin). Golf? Hmmm.... 19th hole - beer. Points 6 and 7 are readily replaced by supermarket, which has the added benefit of selling beer :-)Edit. Steve, do you sleep?
Other Comments by Goldy
47. Comment #114774 by BAEOZ on January 22, 2008 at 7:20 pm
There is a substantial amount of ethanol out there, even if methamphetamine hasn't been found.
Galactic party!
Other Comments by BAEOZ
48. Comment #114775 by al-rawandi on January 22, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Goldy,Nubile women are OK, but they become less so and more naggy with age
Hence the massive quantities of beer!
You are pro-fishing and anti-hunting? hmmmm.
I would ask for something like the trout at Lake Taupo (NZ). That was a hell of a trip, if we could recreate that, I am set.
Plus the beer.
Other Comments by al-rawandi
49. Comment #114778 by Goldy on January 22, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Not anti - just seems a bit pointless to me, but only me. Guess with all that beer, no one will be in a fit state to build and man the supermarket, so fishing and hunting may pass muster. Still wondering about golf - I'll just havae a BBQ instead.Having Lake Taupo would be nice. Can go to the beach, ski, fish (if that is your wont), enjoy a beer and have a nice dip in a hot spring all on the same day. Mind you, there is something a bit perverse having a ski slope on an active volcano (says the bloke living in an active volcano foeld...)
Other Comments by Goldy
50. Comment #114781 by annabanana on January 22, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I don't like either. Fishing and hunting are both parts of our less evolved past which we have overcome by domesticating our food. I hate hunting. I'll go ahead and be the girl and say "don't kill bambi!" Other Comments by annabanana
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1. Comment #114477 by pastin on January 22, 2008 at 9:27 am
Wow! What does this do to Drakes Equation?Other Comments by pastin