Scientists have found the largest organic molecule floating around in space and it may offer insights into how and in what ways life's essential chemical building blocks end up on other planets
, may offer insights into how and in what ways life's essential chemical building blocks end up on other planets.
An artistic impression of the planet-forming disc around Oph-IRS 48. The blue images indicates the presence of the dimethyl ether. A model of the molecule is also shown.The Dutch researchers found dimethyl ether in a cloud surrounding a young star called Oph-IRS 48 in the constellation Ophiuchus. Over the last decade, Oph-IRS 48 has been a subject of great interest for its massive, cashew-shaped ring of dust and ice.
Several complex organic molecules have been found around Oph-IRS 48, including formaldehyde , methanol and dimethyl ether . There's also a massive presence of carbon monoxide gas .