Radio telescopes help scientists map molecules in space and uncover where and how stars form
You may have heard the phrase "we are made of star-stuff." This statement by the astronomer Carl Sagan refers to the fact that elements heavier than hydrogen and helium were forged in the centers of the first stars.
You may have heard the phrase "we are made of star-stuff." This statement by the astronomer Carl Sagan refers to the fact that elements heavier than hydrogen and helium were forged in the centers of the first stars.
The short version
- But how does this star-stuff evolve into the chemistry of rocks, plants and people?
- This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
- As an astrochemist and radio astronomer, I study the places in the universe where stars are born as interstellar laboratories.
What happened
I'm interested in how simple ingredients come together to form bigger and bigger molecules, including those that are building blocks of life. One way I do this is by mapping molecules in space and finding patterns between their abundance and the conditions around them.
Why it matters
Astronomers have mapped the distribution of molecules in interstellar space for several decades.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Phys.org via the links above and below.