Scientists Find Evidence of Amino Acid Tryptophan in IC348 Star System
Researchers using data from the Spitzer Space Observatory have discovered evidence of the amino acid tryptophan in the interstellar material of the IC348 star system. This finding suggests that protein-building amino acids are widespread in areas where stars and planets develop, hinting at the potential for life in exoplanetary systems.
Dr. Susana Iglesias-Groth from The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) used data from the Spitzer space observatory to uncover signs of tryptophan in the interstellar material in a nearby star-forming region. The research, recently published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, sheds new light on the existence of essential building blocks for life in the universe.
The IC348 star system, located 1000 light years away from Earth, showed high amounts of tryptophan in the Perseus Molecular Complex. Although invisible to the naked eye, the region shines brightly when viewed in infrared wavelengths, making it ideal for study using the Spitzer satellite.
Tryptophan is one of the 20 amino acids crucial for the formation of key proteins for life on Earth. It produces one of the richest patterns of spectral lines in the infrared spectrum, making it a promising candidate for exploration using the Spitzer telescope’s extensive spectroscopic database.
The analysis of the infrared light emitted from the IC348 star system revealed 20 emission lines of tryptophan, with an estimated temperature of approximately 280 Kelvin or 7 degrees Celsius. This temperature corresponds to the presence of water and hydrogen, which were previously found in IC348.
The study suggests that the emission lines associated with tryptophan may also be present in other star-forming regions. This implies that these protein-building amino acids are common in the gas and dust from which stars and planets form.
Amino acids have been found in meteorites and were present during the formation of our own Solar System. This latest research indicates that protein-building agents necessary for the development of life may naturally exist in the regions where stars and planetary systems form. It raises the possibility that these building blocks may contribute to the early chemistry of planetary systems around other stars.
Dr. Iglesias-Groth emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “The evidence for tryptophan in the Perseus molecular complex should encourage additional efforts to identify other amino acids in this region and in other star-forming regions. It is a very exciting possibility that the building blocks of proteins are widely present in the gas from which stars and planets form—it may be key for the development of life in exoplanetary systems.”
Further research and exploration of star-forming regions are expected to provide new insights into the formation of life in the universe.
Reference: “A search for tryptophan in the gas of the IC 348 star cluster of the Perseus molecular cloud” by Susana Iglesias-Groth, 22 May 2023, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad1535