JWST Uncovers Potential Building Blocks of Life in Distant Galaxy

Astronomers have identified a range of molecules that may be initial building blocks of life within a luminous infrared galaxy, IRAS 07251–0248, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This discovery contributes to understanding the formation of complex carbon-based molecules in extreme galactic environments.

Methodology

The research team utilized the JWST's Near InfraRed Spectrograph (NIRSpec) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to study IRAS 07251–0248. This galaxy's core is obscured by dust and gas, making infrared observation essential for investigation.

Key Discoveries

The investigation revealed a diverse inventory of small organic molecules.

Ismael García Bernete, a team leader, stated, "We found an unexpected chemical complexity, with abundances far higher than predicted by current theoretical models. This indicates that there must be a continuous source of carbon in these galactic nuclei fuelling this rich chemical network."

Molecules characterized include:

• Benzene
• Methane
• Acetylene
• Diacetylene
• Triacetylene
• Methyl radical

These molecules had not previously been detected beyond the Milky Way. Solid materials, such as carbon-based grains and water ice, were also identified.

Significance

These identified molecules are considered potential precursors for more complex organic molecules, which are essential for life.

Dimitra Rigopoulou of the University of Oxford noted, "Although small organic molecules are not found in living cells, they could play a vital role in prebiotic chemistry, representing an important step towards the formation of amino acids and nucleotides."

Molecule Formation Hypothesis

The observed chemical processes are not fully explained by extreme temperatures and gas turbulence alone. Researchers propose that bombardment by high-energy cosmic rays may have fragmented larger carbon-rich dust molecules, leading to the release of these smaller organic compounds. These findings suggest that heavily obscured galactic nuclei could function as regions for producing organic molecules, thereby enriching their host systems chemically.