It is a 13-atom molecule called 2-methoxyethanol, which was discovered in the Cat's Claw Nebula, located 5,500 light-years from Earth: one of the largest molecules ever identified in the universe.
New research led by a group of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States has revealed the presence of a hitherto unknown molecule in space: it Interstellar detection of 2-methoxyethanolThis is through observations of NGC 6334I, known as the Cat's Claw Nebula, using the ALMA telescope.
According to the new study, recently published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the molecule contains 13 atoms and is particularly large by cosmic standards. This was previously mentioned in an analysis conducted in 2021 only Six molecules made up of more than 13 atoms outside the solar system: Thus, 2-methoxyethanol could have a lot of information to offer about the process of star formation, as it has been discovered in a region where new stars, and perhaps new planetary systems, are created.
Molecules and star formation
NGC 6334I It is a cloud of radioactive gas or emission nebula, whose image resembles the enormous footprint of a cat running across beingThat's why it's colloquially called the Cat's Claw Nebula. It is located in the constellation Scorpio, about 5,500 light-years from Earth. The authors of the new study focused the ALMA telescope toward this sector of star germination, and identified the new molecule.
“We seek to understand molecules in the regions of space where stars and solar systems will eventually form. This allows us to reconstruct How chemistry evolves with the process of star and planet formation. However, to discover new molecules in space, we must first have an idea of the molecule we want to search for, then we can record its spectrum in the laboratory here on Earth, and finally, search for that spectrum in space using telescopes. He explained in a statement. press release Scientist Zachary T. B. Fried, lead author of the new study.
Understanding stellar chemistry
The data obtained from these measurements allowed us to search for the molecule 2-methoxyethanol using observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) directed at two separate regions of Star formation: NGC 6334I and IRAS 16293-2422B. The results showed the presence of the molecule in the first region, known as the Cat's Claw Nebula, but not in IRAS 16293-2422B.
“Ongoing observations of macromolecules and subsequent derivations of the abundances of these elements allow us to advance our knowledge of the efficiency with which these types of molecules can be formed in the universe and by the specific reactions they are able to occur. Furthermore, by identifying this molecule in NGC 6334I but not in IRAS 16293-2422B, we had the unique opportunity to investigate how Different physical conditions Of these two sources may affect the chemistry that leads to Star formationFarid concluded the statement.
reference
Rotational spectrum and first interstellar detection of 2-methoxyethanol using ALMA observations of the galaxy NGC 6334I.. Zachary T. B. Fried et al. The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2024). doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ad37ff
“Beer enthusiast. Subtly charming alcohol junkie. Wannabe internet buff. Typical pop culture lover.”