Scientists have made an exciting discovery in the cosmos, finding a molecule that is common on Earth and associated with life. The molecule, known as carbon acid (HOCOOH), was found in the depths of our galaxy, near the center, in a molecular cloud called G+0.693-0.027. The research, which has been published in the journal “The Astrophysical Journal,” marks the third time that carbon acids have been detected in space, with previous findings including vinegar and ant acidic acids. This discovery is also significant because it is the first time an interstellar molecule containing three or more oxygen atoms has been detected.
According to Viktor M. Riville, a researcher from the Spanish Center for Astobiology, the observations have revealed that carboxylic acid, which was previously invisible to us, is actually quite common in space. This is an important element in understanding the interstellar chemistry of carbon and oxygen, which are two main chemical elements involved in various processes. Carbon acids are organic compounds characterized by a carbon atom that is double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (―OH). It is worth noting that carbon acid forms when CO2 dissolves in water, indicating its increased concentration in our seas due to the presence of CO2 in the atmosphere.
There are many theories about the origin of life on Earth, and some suggest that it could have arisen from a chemical broth when our planet was young. It is believed that these chemicals, including carbon acids, could have been delivered to Earth from space through comets and meteorites. Carbon acid has previously been found on other astronomical objects such as Jupiter’s ice moons, certain meteorites and comets, as well as on Mars and Mercury. However, this is the first time it has been observed in interstellar space.
The discovery of these complex interstellar molecules holds the potential to unlock the secrets of our planet’s origin and the emergence of life on it. By studying and understanding these molecules, scientists can gain insights into the fundamental building blocks of life and the processes that lead to its creation.