All of Life’s Ingredients Found in Orion Nebula

[n2doc]

By Alexis Madrigal March 8, 2010 | 4:16 pm | Categories: Space


The ingredients for life as we know it have been found in the Orion Nebula.

By finely separating the spectrum of incoming light, astronomers are able to detect the chemical fingerprints of molecules like water and methanol. The spectrograph that their work produces can be seen in the image above. The peaks represent the presence of the molecule indicated.

The new data was collected by the Herschel Telescope, launched into space last year by the European Space Agency. Herschel’s HiFi instrument uses a new technique to do more-sensitive spectroscopy. It will enable scientists to better understand the chemistry of space.

The Orion Nebula is located about 1,300 light-years away. No very active star-forming region is closer to Earth. M42, as the nebula is also known, is 24 light-years across.



Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/molecules-for-life/

[wtmusic]

1. One of the most beautiful sky objects and visible with binoculars

from most locations in the US. Probably what the Milky Way looked like 20 billion years ago.

[Hissyspit]

2. "We are stardust..."

[trotsky]

3. It really does seem that far from life being a "miracle" in the universe...

the true miracle would be if life *hadn't* arisen.

[progressoid]

4. Looks like a nice place. Let's go!

[eomer]

5. Oh, sorry, accidental unrec while scrolling on my phone.

Maybe someone will compensate.

Thanks for posting.

[ChicagoSuz219]

6. I don't see coffee... ;-) n/t