What does opening mean? new molecule in space? Does this change our perception of the Universe? Does this discovery reveal details about the formation of stars and planets? These kinds of questions are coming to the minds of researchers who recently discovered this compound. 2-methoxyenatol outside the Earth. This is a real milestone in the astronomical field.
The discovery was made by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and described in the report. paper published in Letters from an Astrophysical Journal. Among the clues to the investigation The use of machine learning models stands out, which confirmed the presence of 2-methoxyenatol in space. In addition, a team led by MIT professor Brett McGuire used data provided by state-of-the-art instruments operating in South America. In particular, they used images obtained by the ALMA observatory located in Atacama in northern Chile.
To go deeper into the details of a new molecule in space, Hypertext He spoke with those involved in this important stage for space science. Judging by the comments Zachary T.P. Friedgraduate student in McGuire’s group and lead author of the study, research progress allows more knowledge about how stars form and the complex chemical processes that occur in these cases.
New molecule in space: “It’s big and complex”
Known here on Earth, 2-methoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a faint odor that is used in a variety of products. For example, in varnishes, paints and fuel additives. Security experts include this item on the list Hazardous substances, as it can cause cell damage and affect human organs. What is its role in space now that its presence in this environment has been discovered?
“Our group is trying to understand what molecules are present in regions of space where stars and solar systems will eventually take shape– says Fried. “To find them, we first have to have an idea of what we want to look for. We can then record its spectrum in a laboratory here on Earth. And finally, we look for this spectrum in space using telescopes,” he explains.
It’s worth noting that there are several “methoxy” type molecules in space, such as methoxymethanol and methyl formate and others. But a newly discovered variety largest and most complex ever seen. In particular, 2-methoxyethanol contains 13 atoms and is large by interstellar standards. As researchers commented in a statement from MIT, only six species with more than 13 atoms have been discovered outside the solar system in 2021.
Relevant and interdisciplinary conclusion
Discovery of a new molecule in space is based on “confident detection,” Freed said. “We observed 25 rotational lines of 2-methoxyethanol that matched the molecular signal. The code for what we were looking for matched,” notes Fried. “We then obtain the physical parameters of the molecule, such as its content and excitation temperature. This will also allow us to advance our investigation of possible pathways for the chemical formation of known interstellar precursors,” he adds.
The step is not trivial. As we indicated, Molecular discoveries are helping to understand the complex processes that occur during star formation.. “Continuous observation of large molecules and subsequent determination of their content allows us to expand our knowledge of how efficiently large molecules can be formed and through what specific reactions they can occur,” says Fried. “In addition, we were presented with a unique opportunity. explore how the different physical conditions of these sources may influence the chemistry that may result.”
McGuire’s team did not work alone on this scientific achievement. The study combined experiments from the University of Lille in France and New College of Florida in the USA. In addition, the images provided by ALMA were analyzed jointly with specialists from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Virginia and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
“Collaboration between different research groups was vital to the success of this project.– Fried comments in a dialogue with this publication. – This was important, since each of the participating laboratories has instruments operating in different frequency modes. By combining the data, we achieved a more reliable and better spectroscopic match,” he explains.
New molecule in space: exclusive interview with researchers
I wonder why it is so important to find a new molecule in space?
McGuire: We are interested in learning the process of formation of stars and planets. This is important for understanding the origins of our planet and our solar system. And also why we have the chemistry that we have. Plus what other planets—and perhaps other life—look like around other stars. To do this, we need to understand how chemistry evolves and helps shape the process of star and planet formation.
We do this by understanding the different types of molecules present in chemical reactions at different stages of this cycle. Each discovery of a new molecule in space adds another piece to this puzzle, helping to clarify what chemistry is and is not possible at these various stages.
In addition to opening as suchIs this indicative of a specific process?
McGuire: This discovery was interesting because of its connection to a smaller molecule, methoxymethanol. It was discovered in NGC 6334I, a region where massive stars form. Also in IRAS 16293, where low-mass stars form. What this means is that methoxyethanol tells us that there is likely something fundamentally different about the environment in which high-mass stars form, compared to low-mass stars, that directly affects the chemical composition. If we can clarify what it is, then we can use our observations elsewhere to better understand its physics and the process of star formation in general.
Understanding that these studies include many examples, how do you come to the conclusion that there is a new molecule in space?
fried: First we measure the spectrum of its rotation on Earth. When we observe interstellar sources with radio telescopes, we collect the spin signal of all the gaseous molecules in that region. Since molecules on Earth are subject to the same laws of quantum mechanics as molecules in space, the frequencies of rotational transitions measured in the laboratory should match the frequencies observed using radio telescopes. Therefore, after collecting and analyzing the rotational spectrum of 2-methoxyethanol, we compared the spectrum with data observed for NGC 6334I and IRAS 16293.
Were they specifically looking for this new molecule in space? Or maybe they “stumbled upon” this in the context of other investigations?
fried: Yes, we specifically looked for 2-methoxyethanol. This molecule was an important target for discovery due to its chemical similarity to several molecules previously discovered in star-forming regions.
We know that they collaborated on this research with the ALMA observatory in Chile. What was it like working with them remotely?
fried: To use this telescope, ALMA submits an observing proposal detailing its research plans. If these proposals are accepted, you will be given a certain amount of time to collect data from certain interstellar sources. We typically use these telescopes to collect signals from the rotation of molecules in space in broadband frequency ranges. Since this interstellar rotation signal will match the molecular radiation measured in the laboratory, it will allow us to detect new molecules in space!
Is there an explanation for the name 2-methoxyethanol?
fried: Unfortunately, we do not have the right to name the molecules we discovered. That would be fun though! The naming follows the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) conventions, which standardize the process for naming molecules.
Finally, we know that they used artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning, to find this new molecule in space. What exactly does this technology provide?
fried: A previous postdoc in our group developed a machine learning method. This can simulate the number of molecules found in interstellar sources. We can then use these models to predict which molecules might be strong candidates for detection in space. Since then, we have continued to develop these methods, and a recent paper using this method suggested that 2-methoxyethanol may be an important target to monitor.
New molecule discovered in space in collaboration with an observatory in Chile
Using predictions from machine learning technologies, the team made their observations by pointing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at specific star forming zones. In particular, the regions NGC 6334I and IRAS 16293, previously mentioned by McGuire.
He ALMA Observatory It is located in the Atacama Desert, which is one of the driest places on Earth, north of the map of Chile, in South America. Its radio telescope is powerful and consists of 66 antennas. It was created as a collaboration between Europe (ESO), North America (NRAO) and East Asia (NAOJ), who together with Chile built these facilities dedicated to the study of the “dark universe”.
According to those in charge of the ALMA project, the observatory’s antennas can be combined to act as a very powerful zoom lens. “Achieving even sharper images than the Hubble Space Telescope,” they note of this astronomy watchdog, whose main goal is study the origin of the universe and the formation of starsthe direction indicated by the discovery of 2-methoxyethanol, a new molecule in space.
Source: Hiper Textual
