Samara University named after Korolev has proven the possibility of the formation of lactaldehyde, an important substance for the processes of the origin of life in the Milky Way ice. This was reported by the press service of the university.
Scientists managed to obtain this substance, which is key to many important biochemical processes, from a frozen mixture of ethyl alcohol and carbon monoxide.
The scientists irradiated the frozen mixture with a stream of high-energy electrons in ultra-high vacuum. At a temperature of about -268°C, an analogue of interstellar ice with a thickness of several hundred nanometers was created.
The electron flow made it possible to simulate the impact of galactic cosmic rays. This made it possible to recreate a million years of flight of frozen stellar dust particles through the Milky Way.
The results of our joint work provide science with new data on the mechanisms of formation of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium and the possible role of these molecules in the origin of life on Earth. In the course of experiments, we managed to synthesize lactaldehyde molecules (CH CH(OH)CHO) for the first time in conditions that completely simulate deep space and interstellar ice.
Lactaldehyde plays a key role in biochemical processes related to the formation of sugars and amino acids. Scientists suggest that such substances could have been delivered to Earth and other young planets with the help of meteorites. This could have started the origin of life on them.
Earlier www1.ru reported that Reshetnev University presented the concept of braking engines for removing spacecraft from orbits.
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