Sweet Molecule Could Lead Us To Alien Life 72
Matt_dk writes "Scientists have detected an organic sugar molecule that is directly linked to the origin of life in a region of our galaxy where habitable planets could exist. The international team of researchers used the IRAM radio telescope in France to detect the molecule in a massive star forming region of space, some 26,000 light years from Earth."
Re:Powerful telescope (Score:5, Informative)
By the light spectrum it emits.
All molecules emit a very precise combination (or individual frequency) of light frequencies when enough energy is added to them.
Think of different pure wavelengths of light as notes on a piano. Each unique atom and molecule produces it's own unique chord when energy is added.