Space Rocks Carry Hundreds of Thousands of Complex Organic Molecules—and We Just Photographed Them

Scientists have found hundreds of thousands of complex organic molecules in two meteorites, which were previously unknown. The study, conducted by Joseph W. Frye-Jones of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University, involved analyzing samples from the Murchison and Aguas Zarcas meteorites. The researchers used a combination of a 21-Tesla Mass Spectrometer and a high-resolution Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to identify the molecular structures of the compounds. The AFM was used to image the molecules themselves, while the Mass Spectrometer measured their mass with extreme precision. The team identified over 66,000 unique molecular formulas in Murchison and over 91,000 in Aguas Zarcas, with molecular ranges up to 1,000 atomic mass units and carbon counts from 10 to 70. The findings suggest that meteorites contain a vast array of organic compounds, some of which are organometallic, and that these compounds are not limited to simple amino acids.

The study highlights that meteorites are not just sources of amino acids but also contain a wide variety of complex organic molecules. The results indicate that the organic matter in meteorites is not easily accessible through conventional methods, as most of it is not soluble in water or acid. The researchers used a series of solvents with decreasing polarity to isolate different types of organic compounds. The findings show that the molecular formulas from the two meteorites did not overlap significantly between the solvents, suggesting that the organic compounds in meteorites are diverse and not easily categorized. The discovery of organometallic compounds, such as iron-bearing molecules with carbon chains of over 35 atoms, adds to the complexity of the organic matter found in meteorites.

The implications of these findings are significant for understanding the origins of life on Earth. The study suggests that meteorites are not just delivery vehicles for simple organic molecules but also contain a reservoir of complex organic compounds that could have contributed to the development of life. The results provide evidence that complex organic chemistry occurred in the early solar system and that meteorites may contain the raw ingredients for life. The study also emphasizes the importance of continuing to explore meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials to uncover the secrets of the origins of life.

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