In light of new research, scientists believe that life in our galaxy could be 100 times more likely than previously thought.
The molecules needed to form life in the universe have been found in ‘significant reservoirs’, meaning that the basic conditions that helped to form life on Earth could exist elsewhere.
The large organic molecules found are being described as the ‘stepping stones’ between simple carbon structures and more complex molecules, and were spotted in protoplanetary disks surrounding newly-formed stars.
In the wake of this discovery, studies have been conducted showing that these ‘raw ingredients’ can create sugars, amino acids and even the components of ribonucleic acid (RNA) – a key component of the helix in DNA.
As to how and why the protoplanetary disks contain these molecules, it’s believed that Earth ended up with this material as a result of the impacts of asteroids and comets. It’s unclear if all disks contain these molecules, however.
In a bid to find out how many protoplanetary disks had the vital molecules needed to create life, researchers from the University of Leeds looked into the matter to try to identify three molecules – cyanoacetylene (HC3N), acetonitrile (CH3CN), and cyclopropenylidene (c-C3H2) – in disks located between 300 and 500 light-years from our planet, Independent reports.
Four of the five disks observed were found to have these molecules.
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