Comments
[deleted] t1_j5nj8le wrote
I knew about methane, but only just learning about ethanol now, and found a 2011 paper about interstellar ethanol. But what I can’t find is the astrochemical model for how this ethanol is thought to originate from non-biotic processes??? Is there an abiotic process for the genesis of ethanol? Here on earth you’re pretty well restricted to bacteria or yeast options to ferment glucose.
Sorry to piggy back your comment, but do you happen to know of the process or can you point me to a good source about this topic since you had a pre-existing familiarity with it?
electricNick31 t1_j5nzwr7 wrote
>Surface formation rates of ethyl formate, methyl formate and ethanol are not strictly dependent on methanol abundance in the ices, but rather on the rate of formation of its photodissociation products, CH3O, CH2OH, and CH3.
This is all over my head, but is that close to what you're looking for? Most articles I'm seeing focus on quantum tunnelling & it's impact on chemical reactions involving methanol.
[deleted] t1_j5piro1 wrote
Thanks for having a crack, that article is a touch over my head as well, but I have found this article which explains an abiotic process for ethanol synthesis, which may not be the one that is happening on the observed planet, but at least I now know that ethanol is possible to be synthesised by abiotic means, whereas when I initially read the OP I was thinking they found sure signs of life for a minute there!
[deleted] t1_j5ojkzu wrote
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ferrel_hadley t1_j5p6rir wrote
Futurology is like an unironic wallstreetbets for tech nerds.
zoinkability t1_j5magrn wrote
If the scientists didn’t consume some ethanol themselves after finding it in space they really missed an opportunity
mrspidey80 t1_j5oorw9 wrote
Drunk Janeway: "There's alcohol in that nebula!"
ferrel_hadley t1_j5nid8z wrote
To be honest we have know about these for decades. Its not really a big break through, just more akin to a routine observation with a high precision instrument.