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Evidence of the amino acid tryptophan found in space (phys.org)

submitted 1 year ago by wjs018@beehaw.org to c/space@beehaw.org

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This article summarizes findings showing that the Spitzer telescope has observed the spectral signature of tryptophan in an extrasolar system.

This isn't the first instance of amino acids found extra-terrestrially (previously found on asteroids), but is the first found outside our solar system. Tryptophan has a very strong and very clear spectral signature (it is ubiquitously used in life sciences for example).

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stad1535

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[–] kool_newt@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

This explains the Fermi Paradox, the aliens are too sleepy.

[–] mobyduck648@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Given it’s a precursor to serotonin that must be the least depressing place in the universe!

[–] interolivary@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

No humans for light years. Sounds lovely.

[–] ragica@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

The thing that amazes me is that the article says the stuff is at 7 degrees celsius. How much of the stuff does there have to be to be detectable at such a distance, and how can it average out at 7 degrees. Mind boggling stuff.

[–] keeb420@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

so tryptophan is a space chemical. give me some of that space chemical than.