ALMA detects methyl isocyanate around young Sun-like stars (artist's impression)
ALMA has observed stars like the Sun at a very early stage in their formation and found traces of methyl isocyanate — a chemical building block of life. This is the first ever detection of this prebiotic molecule towards a solar-type protostar, the sort from which our Solar System evolved. The discovery could help astronomers understand how life arose on Earth.
This artist's impression gives a very close-up view of what these molecules look like.
Credit:ESO/L. Calçada
About the Image
Id: | eso1718b |
Type: | Artwork |
Release date: | 8 June 2017, 12:00 |
Related releases: | eso1718 |
Size: | 6000 x 3375 px |
About the Object
Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation |
Category: | Illustrations Stars |
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Large JPEG
4.2 MB
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155.4 KB