Starship Asterisk*

[img3="ALMA detects methyl isocyanate around young Sun-like stars
Credit: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2/L. Calçada"]https://cdn.eso.org/images/screen/eso1718a.jpg[/img3][hr][/hr]

ALMA has observed stars like the Sun at a very early stage in their formation and found traces of methyl isocyanate — a chemical building block of life. This is the first ever detection of this prebiotic molecule towards solar-type protostars, the sort from which our Solar System evolved. The discovery could help astronomers understand how life arose on Earth.

Two teams of astronomers have harnessed the power of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to detect the prebiotic complex organic molecule methyl isocyanate in the multiple star system IRAS 16293-2422. One team was co-led by Rafael Martín-Doménech at the Centro de Astrobiología in Madrid, Spain, and Víctor M. Rivilla, at the INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri in Florence, Italy; and the other by Niels Ligterink at the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands and Audrey Coutens at University College London, United Kingdom. ...

ALMA’s capabilities allowed both teams to observe the molecule at several different and characteristic wavelengths across the radio spectrum. They found the unique chemical fingerprints located in the warm, dense inner regions of the cocoon of dust and gas surrounding young stars in their earliest stages of evolution. Each team identified and isolated the signatures of the complex organic molecule methyl isocyanate. They then followed this up with computer chemical modelling and laboratory experiments to refine our understanding of the molecule’s origin. ...

• Monthly Notices of the RAS 469(2):2219 (Aug 2017) DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stx890
  arXiv.org > astro-ph > arXiv:1703.03252 > 09 Mar 2017 (v1), 04 May 2017 (v3)

• Monthly Notices of the RAS 469(2):2219 (Aug 2017) DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stx915
  arXiv.org > astro-ph > arXiv:1701.04376 > 16 Jan 2017 (v1), 31 Mar 2017 (v2)

Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3NCO. Synonyms are isocyanatomethane, methyl carbylamine, and MIC. Methyl isocyanate is an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides (such as carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl, and aldicarb). It has also been used in the production of rubbers and adhesives. As a highly toxic and irritating material, it is extremely hazardous to human health. It was the principal toxicant involved in the Bhopal disaster, which killed nearly 2,259 people initially and officially 3,787 people in total.

BDanielMayfield wrote:Also, calling CH3NCO, a molecule with only 7 atoms, a "complex" organic molecule is misleading.

H2 + HCN + CO -> CH3NCO

If this is in the Cool-aid, I'm not drinking it.

BDanielMayfield wrote:Also, calling CH3NCO, a molecule with only 7 atoms, a "complex" organic molecule is misleading.

H2 + HCN + CO -> CH3NCO

If this is in the Cool-aid, I'm not drinking it.

Bruce

Ann wrote:Hey, Bruce, you are not some kind of inert chemical soup waiting for some catalyst to turn you inte pond scum!

I'm just saying... what might be good for non-life trying to become alive is not necessarily so good for highly evolved complex life on the Earth!

BDanielMayfield wrote:

Ann wrote:I'm just saying... what might be good for non-life trying to become alive is not necessarily so good for highly evolved complex life on the Earth!

Non-Iife does not have will, so it cannot try to do anything.

Bruce

Ann wrote:

BDanielMayfield wrote:

Ann wrote:
I'm just saying... what might be good for non-life trying to become alive is not necessarily so good for highly evolved complex life on the Earth!

Non-Iife does not have will, so it cannot try to do anything.

Of course. But I have noticed several times that astronomers have been excited about finding a molecule that seems highly poisonous or generally disgusting to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_monoxide_hoax wrote:
<<The Durand Express, a weekly newspaper in Durand, Michigan, reported in 1983 that "dihydrogen oxide" had been found in the city's water pipes, and warned that it was fatal if inhaled, and could produce blistering vapors.

Later Craig Jackson's website included the following warnings:

• Dihydrogen monoxide (a.k.a, hydroxyl acid) :
  • is the major component of acid rain.
    contributes to the "greenhouse effect".
    may cause severe burns.
    contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
    accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
    may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
    has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
  Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
  • as an industrial solvent and coolant.
    in nuclear power plants.
    in the production of styrofoam.
    as a fire retardant.
    in many forms of cruel animal research.
    in the distribution of pesticides.
    as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products and even
    after washing, the produce remains contaminated by this chemical..

In 1997 Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project. Forty-three responders favored banning DHMO, six were undecided, and only one correctly recognized the toxic substance. Zohner won first prize in the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair.>>

neufer wrote:

Ann wrote:

BDanielMayfield wrote: Non-Iife does not have will, so it cannot try to do anything.

Of course. But I have noticed several times that astronomers have been excited about finding a molecule that seems highly poisonous or generally disgusting to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_monoxide_hoax wrote:
<<The Durand Express, a weekly newspaper in Durand, Michigan, reported in 1983 that "dihydrogen oxide" had been found in the city's water pipes, and warned that it was fatal if inhaled, and could produce blistering vapors.

Later Craig Jackson's website included the following warnings:

• Dihydrogen monoxide (a.k.a, hydroxyl acid) :
  • is the major component of acid rain.
    contributes to the "greenhouse effect".
    may cause severe burns.
    contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
    accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
    may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
    has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
  Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
  • as an industrial solvent and coolant.
    in nuclear power plants.
    in the production of styrofoam.
    as a fire retardant.
    in many forms of cruel animal research.
    in the distribution of pesticides.
    as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products and even
    after washing, the produce remains contaminated by this chemical..

In 1997 Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project. Forty-three responders favored banning DHMO, six were undecided, and only one correctly recognized the toxic substance. Zohner won first prize in the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair.>>