Chiral molecules spotted in interstellar space for first time
JUN 15, 2016
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029899
New Scientist : A chiral molecule is one that exhibits different properties from its mirror-image molecule. All organic molecules are chiral, and the molecules that are common in life on Earth are primarily left-handed. Now, Brett McGuire of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Virginia and Brandon Carroll of Caltech have found the first chiral molecule in interstellar space. The molecule they found, propylene oxide, isn’t necessary for life. But the researchers hope that studying chiral molecules in space might provide clues about why one direction of chirality is favored over the other.
© 2016 American Institute of Physics
