August 27, 2020

The area where hydroxylamine was detected

An article published in “The Astrophysical Journal Letters” reports the discovery of hydroxylamine, a precursor of RNA nucleotides, in the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027, in the heart of the Milky Way. A team led by VĂ­ctor M. Rivilla, of the Centro de AstrobiologĂ­a in Madrid and associated with the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics in Arcetri used the IRAM radio telescope to detect the chemical signature of hydroxylamine. Other molecules important in the formation of RNA and DNA were already detected in space, this is more evidence that at least part of life building blocks can somehow seed a newly formed planet bearing fruit where conditions are suitable.