astronomer think they may do it how some organic molecules shape in quad , thanks to the powerful luminosity of young stars .
Using NASA’sStratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy ( SOFIA ) , a Dutch - French team of astronomer read the composition of NGC 7023 , a nebula 1,300 light-headed - years from Earth that is get down by a bright vernal star . They hear that with child , more complex molecule are found closer to the wiz , indicating that unattackable ultraviolet emissions could play a role in the formation of these chemicals .
The researcher studied polycyclic redolent hydrocarbon ( PAHs ) , which are shape on Earth in the smoke get by burning organic fabric like meat or sugarcane . They are made by carbon organized in a honeycomb bodily structure , and 10 percent of all the carbon in the universe is found in these PAHs .
Current models advise that young stars , like the one illume NGC 7023 , demolish the large molecules , but it seem that this is not the caseful here .
In the report , published inAstronomy and Astrophysics , the researchers canvass the size of it of molecule across the nebula . They found a trenchant want of small- and intermediate - sized mote near the star . The vivid ultraviolet radiation should be destroy the molecules , but rather it is crowd the intermediate - sized chemicals together , impel them to connect into large , more complex structure .
The observations were possible thanks to the unique capability of SOFIA , a one - of - a - variety infrared lookout station . The telescope is installed inside a Boeing 747 , and it operates at an EL of 12 kilometers ( 7.5 miles ) , which is high enough to not be affected by the weewee vapor in the atmosphere .
“ The achiever of these observations depended on both Bulgarian capital ’s power to honour wavelengths inaccessible from the ground , and the enceinte size of its telescope , which cater a more detailed map than would have been possible with smaller telescopes , ” said co - source Olivier Berné at CNRS , the National Center for Scientific Research in Toulouse , France , in astatement .
