Space Sciences Complex molecules detected in interstellar space

[Second Summer]

Hunting from a distance of 27,000 light years, astronomers have discovered an unusual carbon-based molecule – one with a branched structure – contained within a giant gas cloud in interstellar space. Like finding a molecular needle in a cosmic haystack, astronomers have detected radio waves emitted by isopropyl cyanide. The discovery suggests that the complex molecules needed for life may have their origins in interstellar space.

Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, known as the ALMA Observatory, a group of radio telescopes funded partially through the National Science Foundation, researchers studied the gaseous star-forming region Sagittarius B2.

More: New molecule found in space connotes life origins | Cornell Chronicle (25. Sept. 2014)
I thought this was quite interesting. The panspermia hypothesis says microbes can survive a trip through space on comets and space debris from one planet/habitat to another. While that is debatable, I'm sure there is less doubt that these molecular building blocks could "survive" the space trip, especially since they are apparently actually formed in space.

 

[Second Summer]

More exciting news in this area!

Scientists in Japan generated protein building blocks by recreating impacts by comets containing water, amino acids and silicate.

In the tests, a propellant gun was used to fire the frozen mixture and simulate the shock of a comet striking the Earth.

Analysis showed that some of the amino acids had linked together to form chained molecules called peptides.

More: Comets seeded life on earth: research (19. August 2015)

Edit: Peptides are similar to proteins, except they are shorter, i.e. have fewer amino acids in the chain.

 

[Tom L.]

Maybe related to this thread's topic:

http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/15/9333821/nasa-enceladus-subsurface-ocean

This article tells about the growing evidence for water under the surfaces of several of Jupiter and Saturn's moons. Enceladus has so much water between its surface crust and its inner solid core that it is producing measurable wobbles as it orbits Saturn.