High tryptophan concentrations have been found in the Perseus Molecular Complex, more especially in the IC348 star system, a star-forming zone that is 1000 light years from Earth, or rather close in astronomical terms. When observed at infrared wavelengths, the region, which is typically invisible to the human eye, sparkles brightly. One of the 20 amino acids necessary for the synthesis of important proteins for life on Earth, tryptophan also generates one of the infrared spectrum's most abundant patterns of spectral lines. Since Spitzer is a satellite-based infrared telescope, it was an ideal candidate to be investigated utilizing its extensive spectroscopic database. Amino acids are frequently discovered in meteorites and were present during the Solar System's origin. This new research may show that the regions where stars and planetary systems form naturally include the protein-building substances that are essential to the emergence of life. The presence of tryptophan in the Perseus molecular complex, according to Dr. Iglesias-Groth, should spur further research into the discovery of other amino acids in this and other star-forming areas. The fact that proteins' building components are extensively distributed in the gas that stars and planets are formed from is an extremely intriguing idea that could be crucial for the emergence of life in exoplanetary systems. The Perseus molecular complex's evidence for tryptophan should spur further research into other amino acids present here and in other star-forming regions. The concept that the components of proteins are extensively distributed in the gas from which stars and planets are formed is very intriguing; it may be crucial for the emergence of life in exoplanetary systems.

1. Researchers Find a Key Amino Acid for Life in
Interstellar Space
Using data from the Spitzer satellite telescope, Dr. Susana
Iglesias-Groth of The Instituto de Astrofsica de Canarias (IAC)
has found indications of the amino acid tryptophan in the
interstellar material in a nearby star-forming area. The study was
just released in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical
Society publication.
High tryptophan concentrations have been found in the Perseus
Molecular Complex, more especially in the IC348 star system, a
star-forming zone that is 1000 light years from Earth, or rather
close in astronomical terms. When observed at infrared
wavelengths, the region, which is typically invisible to the
human eye, sparkles brightly.
One of the 20 amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
important proteins for life on Earth, tryptophan also generates
one of the infrared spectrum's most abundant patterns of spectral
lines. Since Spitzer is a satellite-based infrared telescope, it was
an ideal candidate to be investigated utilizing its extensive
spectroscopic database.

2. The study of the infrared light produced by the area identified
20 tryptophan emission lines. Tryptophan has a temperature of
around 280 Kelvin, or 7 degrees Celsius. Iglesias-Groth has
previously discovered hydrogen and water in IC348 at the same
temperatures.
According to the study, tryptophan-related emission lines are
frequently found in the gas and dust that stars and planets are
formed from as well as in other star-forming regions.
Amino acids are frequently discovered in meteorites and were
present during the Solar System's origin. This new research
may show that the regions where stars and planetary systems
form naturally include the protein-building substances that are
essential to the emergence of life.
The presence of tryptophan in the Perseus molecular complex,
according to Dr. Iglesias-Groth, should spur further research
Tryptophan has been detected in space. Credit: Jorge Rebolo-Iglesias.
Background image: NASA/Spitzer Space Telescope

3. into the discovery of other amino acids in this and other star-
forming areas. The fact that proteins' building components are
extensively distributed in the gas that stars and planets are
formed from is an extremely intriguing idea that could be crucial
for the emergence of life in exoplanetary systems.