Theoretical origin of life: organic chemicals in space (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, January 28, 2023, 19:13 (455 days ago) @ David Turell

A constant barrage of hopeful comments about the origin of life:

https://www.sciencealert.com/jwst-has-found-lifes-elemental-building-blocks-in-the-dept...

"JWST's unparalleled ability to peer into the shrouded hearts of distant clouds has revealed the elements of biochemistry in the coldest and darkest place we've seen them yet.

"In a molecular cloud called Chamaeleon I, located over 500 light-years from Earth, data from the telescope has revealed the presence of frozen carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur – elements vital to the formation of atmospheres and molecules such as amino acids, collectively known as CHONS.

"'These elements are important components of prebiotic molecules such as simple amino acids – and thus ingredients of life, so to speak," says astronomer Maria Drozdovskaya of the University of Bern in Germany.

"In addition, an international team of researchers led by astronomer Melissa McClure of Leiden University in the Netherlands has also identified frozen forms of more complex molecules, such as water, methane, ammonia, carbonyl sulfide, and the organic molecule methanol.

"Cold, dense clumps in molecular clouds are where stars and their planets are born. Scientists believe that CHONS and other molecules were present in the molecular cloud that birthed the Sun, some of which were later delivered to Earth via icy comet and asteroid impacts.

"Although the elements and molecules detected in Chamaeleon I are quietly floating about right now, one day, they could be caught up in planet formation, delivering the ingredients necessary for the emergence of life to new baby planets.

"'Our identification of complex organic molecules, like methanol and potentially ethanol, also suggests that the many star and planet systems developing in this particular cloud will inherit molecules in a fairly advanced chemical state," explains astronomer Will Rocha of Leiden Observatory.

"'could mean that the presence of prebiotic molecules in planetary systems is a common result of star formation rather than a unique feature of our own Solar System.'"

Comment: every time these molecules are noted they raise excitement about life. Followers here know those molecules are all over the universe.