Scientists discover molecule in space that hints at origin of life 18d ago

Scientists have identified the largest sulfur-containing organic molecule, 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-thione, ever detected in interstellar space, a discovery hailed as a "missing link" in understanding the cosmic origins of life's chemistry. This 13-atom molecule, found in the molecular cloud G+0.693–0.027 approximately 27,000 light-years from Earth near the galactic center, fills a crucial gap between simple interstellar chemistry and the complex building blocks of life found in comets and meteorites. Sulfur is a vital element for life on Earth, and its scarcity in large interstellar molecules had been a puzzle, with this finding suggesting that more complex sulfur-bearing molecules may be prevalent in space, potentially originating from outside our solar system and contributing to the ingredients for life on planets.

















