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An international team of astrophysicists, astronomers and chemists has found evidence of carbonic acid (HOCOOH) in interstellar space; This marks the first time it has been detected in
An international team of astrophysicists, astronomers and chemists has found evidence of carbonic acid (HOCOOH) in interstellar space; This marks the first time it has been detected in such conditions. In an article published in the journal Astrophysical JournalThe team describes their discovery, where it was found, and what this might mean for research into the origins of life.
Previous research led to the discovery of acetic and formic acids in interstellar space; both are carboxylic acids such as carbonic acid. All three are believed to be the building blocks of life. Finding them in such distant places supports theories that suggest they were brought to Earth by comets or meteorites. In this new study, the researchers were examining the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027 near the center of the Milky Way when they found evidence of HOCOOH.
Carboxylic acids have a double bond with a Carbon atom and an Oxygen atom. They also bind to the hydroxyl group alone. Carbonic acid is formed here on Earth when CO forms 2 miscible and soluble in water. It creates an acidic effect in soft drinks. It is also responsible for the increased acidity of the oceans due to the increased amount of CO.2 in the atmosphere
The research team states that carbonic acid has been observed on several moons of Jupiter, comets, Mercury and Mars, but this is the first time it has been detected in interstellar space. They also note that the presence of carbonic acid in the interstellar molecular cloud indicates a high degree of complexity in the interstellar medium, meaning that it may contain compounds related to amino acids. This suggests that continuing the search for other acids such as glycolic, cyanoacetic, propanoic or glycine is a worthwhile pursuit.
They also found an upper bound on HOCOOH relative to diatomic hydrogen in the molecular cloud; they believe this points to the possibility that carbonic acid may be abundant in interstellar space. They note that one of the reasons why carbonic acid has not been seen in interstellar space until now is that, despite its apparent abundance, it cannot be detected by radio astronomy observations. Source
Source: Port Altele
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