In December 2018, Comet 46P/Wirtanen passed at a distance of 11.6 million kilometers from Earth. This convergence allowed astronomers to observe the ice guest in detail, which they used at the ALMA observatory. The ALMA radio telescope array specializes in observing the cold components of the Universe, and molecular gases are often the subject of his research. A cloud of hydrogen cyanide gas in a coma around the cometary nucleus is found.
But why should scientists search for this infamous poison in space? It turns out that there he is found as often as in detective novels! This simple organic molecule forms relatively easily and is observed in comets, stellar atmospheres and interstellar clouds of dust and gas. The above image confirms these observations, clearly showing that hydrogen cyanide is released from the cometary nucleus. Further observations on ALMA demonstrated that other, more complex organic molecules are present in the coma.
The results are very important. Hydrocyanic acid, even though today it is deadly for many organisms on Earth, could play a significant role in the origin of life on our planet in the past. This poison very easily interacts with the surrounding chemicals, forming new molecules, including those without which life is impossible, for example, amino acids.
According to one theory, hydrogen cyanide, brought to Earth by comets, caused a sharp outbreak of the spread of organic compounds, which ultimately led to the emergence of life, and the image of comet 46P/Wirtanen obtained on the ALMA gives another confirmation.
Poison in the comet's core
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