Scientists discovered molecules that store carbon in space

According to a study published in the journal Science, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) a type of molecule that stores carbon in space. The evidence was found in an interstellar cloud known as TMC-1 in the constellation Taurus, based on observations carried out by the Green Bank Telescope (GBT).

The cloud consists of large amounts of dust and gas, just like the primitive cloud that formed the Solar System. Scientists point out that, in addition to the work done by the MIT team, data collected from the Ryugu asteroid, which is relatively close to the Earth, also confirms the discovery presented in the article.

The molecule is a pyrene derivative, Classified as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)). According to the researchers, identifying the molecule was not an easy task because it remained invisible to most radio astronomy techniques used to detect molecules in space.

Scientists have discovered that PAHs, which are composed of molten carbon atoms, It could store 10% to 25% of all carbon found at the edges of space. This type of molecule began to be identified in the universe several decades ago, but old techniques did not allow revealing which types of PAHs were recorded.

“One of the big questions in the formation of stars and planets is: How much of the chemical inventory of this early molecular cloud is inherited and forms the building blocks of the Solar System? This is pretty strong evidence that this early molecular cloud material is found.” “It is making its way into the masses of ice, dust and rock that make up our Solar System,” said MIT Assistant Professor of Chemistry Brett McGuire.

carbon storing molecule

HPAs also Found in meteorites, asteroids and comets; They are found in the byproducts of burning fossil fuels and other processes on Earth. The pyrene found in TMC-1 is the largest PAH ever detected in space.

The study states: It is the third largest molecule identified in space, but the largest ever detected. through radio astronomy techniques.

So what does the detection of flea in the TMC-1 molecular cloud mean? The result hypothesizes that carbon in the Solar System may have originated from the presence of pyrene, as it stores large volumes of this chemical element.

In an official statement, scientists concluded that further research was necessary; therefore, they plan to look for HPA molecules larger than pyrene in TMC-1.

“[O estudo] “This not only shows that a significant amount of carbon is trapped in these molecules, but also points to different pathways of aromatic formation than hitherto thought.” He was not involved in the research but was surprised by the results.

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