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 telescope ALMA, reveals crucial clues about the chemical origin of life in the universe.
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.
This reinforces the idea that prebiotic chemistry is not something exclusive to Earth, but rather a widespread process throughout the cosmos.
