Complex Organic Molecules Discovered for First Time Ever in Infant Star System

For the first time ever, astronomers have detected the presence of complex organic molecules, the building blocks of life, in a protoplanetary disc surrounding a young star. The findings reaffirms the idea that the conditions that spawned the Earth and sun are not unique in the universe.

ALMA revealed that the protoplanetary disc surrounding the young star MWC 480 contains large amounts of methyl cyanide, a complex carbon-based molecule. In fact, there's enough methyl cyanide around this star to fill all of Earth's oceans.

"Studies of comets and asteroids show that the solar nebula that spawned the sun and planets was rich in water and complex organic compounds," said Karin Oberg, lead author of the new study, in a news release. "We now have even better evidence that this same chemistry exists elsewhere in the universe, in regions that could form solar systems not unlike our own."

Astronomers have known for some time that cold, dark interstellar clouds are efficient factories for complex organic molecules. Until now, though, it's remained unclear if these same complex organic molecules commonly form and survive in the energetic environment of a newly forming solar system, where shocks and radiation can easily break chemical bonds.

"From the study of exoplanets, we know the solar system isn't unique in its number of planets or abundance of water," said Oberg. "Now we know we're not unique in organic chemistry. Once more, we have learnt that we're not special. From a life in the universe point of view, this is great news."

The findings are published in the journal Nature.

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