Published in Chemistry World, 26 Oct 2011
Scientists in Hong Kong believe they have found traces of organic compounds deep in interstellar space that have similar structures to coal and oil. The findings – which are based on infrared spectroscopic data – suggest that these organic compounds exist throughout the universe, and may have seeded life on Earth.
For decades astronomers have been aware of a band of mid-infrared emissions coming from interstellar space, but haven’t been certain of its origin. Many believe the emissions arise from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that are excited by ultraviolet photons. Others claim that there are flaws with this hypothesis. These scientists argue that the infrared emissions exist even around cool stars where there is no stimulating ultraviolet radiation, and – perhaps more significantly – that in interstellar environments no individual PAHs have ever been identified. […]
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