Illustration of a protoplanetary disk next to a radio telescope antenna in a desert landscape under a blue sky — Key molecules for life detected in a forming star | La Derecha Diario

Camara — Key molecules for life detected in a forming star | La Derecha Diario

Chemical signs of life discovered in a star system 1,300 light-years away

They detected compounds that could give rise to life in a forming star located 1,300 light-years from Earth

05/08/2025 10:26:00h

Editorial Team

A group of astronomers found 17 complex organic compounds in the protoplanetary disk of V883 Orionis, a young star located in the constellation Orion.

The discovery, made with the radio telescopeALMA, reveals crucial clues about the chemical origin of life in the universe.

Matrix of images of protoplanetary disks at different stages of evolution observed with the conventional CLEAN imaging method, showing variations in shape and brightness over time since the birth of a central star.

V883 Orionis: a young star located in the constellation of Orion | La Derecha Diario

What exactly did they find?

The scientists detected molecules such as ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile, never before seen in this type of environment. These are compounds that could have contributed to the formation of amino acids and DNA bases.

These molecules emerged thanks to the heating of the gas and dust disk surrounding V883 Orionis. It was triggered by energy bursts characteristic of its early stage.

A new perspective on the origin of life

For years, it was believed that these complex molecules were destroyed during star formation. However, now, the evidence suggests that they could form before the birth of planets and survive that transition.

Image showing a starry background with enlarged insets of carbon monoxide and silicon monoxide observations made by ALMA, accompanied by molecular representations and distance scales in arcseconds and arcminutes.

What exactly did they find? | La Derecha Diario

This reinforces the idea that prebiotic chemistry is not something exclusive to Earth, but rather a widespread process throughout the cosmos.

How were these molecules detected?

The team, led by astronomer Abubakar Fadul from the Max Planck Institute, used ALMA to scan the protoplanetary disk. This telescope can capture the radiation emitted by compounds that heat releases from the ice that encases them.

Several radio telescopes pointing at the starry sky on a clear night

They used ALMA to scan the protoplanetary disk | La Derecha Diario

Thanks to that capability, they managed to identify unique spectral signatures that confirmed the presence of complex compounds.

What does it mean for life beyond Earth?

The detection of these substances in such a young system suggests that the ingredients for life could be available long before planets form.

This finding aligns with what has been found in comets and meteorites from the Solar System, which contain similar remnants and may have "seeded" primitive Earth.

Starry sky with a red and blue nebula in deep space

What does it mean for life beyond Earth? | La Derecha Diario

The universe could be full of prebiotic chemistry

According to the researchers, this type of finding could be repeated in other stellar systems. That opens new questions about the possibility of life on other planets.

"We're just getting started," they said. Everything indicates that the next discoveries could be even more surprising.

➡️ Argentina