Most complex extraterrestrial molecule

[Loren Booda]

What is the most complex extraterrestrial molecule yet discovered?

[Orion1]

Over 130 molecules have been identified in interstellar space so far, including sugars and ethanol. But amino acids are a particularly important find because they link up to form proteins, the molecules that run, and to a large extent make up our cells




By 'complex extraterrestrial molecule', I believe the you are referring to an organic molecule.

My data is limited, but I believe that the most 'complex' molecule discovered is Glycine.

However, the dicovery of Benzene is certainly an impressive discovery.

The 'heaviest' organic molecule discovered is (HC11N).



Reference:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992558
http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~awootten/allmols.html

[Nommos Prime (Dogon)]

How about some common bacteria living on the Earth's Moon?

Streptococcus Mitis, (apparently, originally, from Earth);
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast01sep98_1.htm

[Nommos Prime (Dogon)]

Or, how about the 50 or so Mars' meteorites, with fossilised bacteria?
http://www.qtm.net/~geibdan/a1999/mar/pp4.htm

[Jenab]

How about some common bacteria living on the Earth's Moon?

Streptococcus Mitis, (apparently, originally, from Earth);
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast01sep98_1.htm
It'd be something if terrestrial bacteria managed to survive and mutate into heterotrophs on the moon. The whole lunar surface might change color.

Jerry Abbott

[Loren Booda]

Jenab,

It'd be something if terrestrial bacteria managed to survive and mutate into heterotrophs on the moon. The whole lunar surface might change color. Given the right strain, it might well ferment into cheese! :biggrin:

[setAI]

wouldn't a binary or multiple star system or tight cluster consisting only of neutron stars technically be considered a molecule? and would it be complex based on transfinite numbers of neutrons- or simple?

___________________________

/:set\AI transmedia laboratories

http://setai-transmedia.com

[Nommos Prime (Dogon)]

"It'd be something if terrestrial bacteria managed to survive and mutate into heterotrophs on the moon. The whole lunar surface might change color.

Jerry Abbott"
Thats wonderful.

The success of A. does not necessarily ensure the failure of B.

Nonsensical s**t is pretty boring, isn't it?

[shrumeo]

wouldn't a binary or multiple star system or tight cluster consisting only of neutron stars technically be considered a molecule? and would it be complex based on transfinite numbers of neutrons- or simple?

___________________________

/:set\AI transmedia laboratories

http://setai-transmedia.com


no, i wouldn't call it a molecule anymore than a neutron beam is one

you need all the parts, nuclei, electrons and the lot

is the solar system an atom? nah

[Nereid]

I don't know how you'd go about determining which was the 'most complex', but the Murchison meteorite (http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast20dec_1.htm) certainly contains (contained? no, pieces are still around) a wide variety of complex organic molecules, and fullerenes. (http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast21mar_1.htm)

I think Dogon is referring to the Streptococcus mitis which hitched a ride on Surveyor 3 (http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast01sep98_1.htm). Doesn't really count as 'extraterrestrial', since it came from Earth :smile:

[Nommos Prime (Dogon)]

Nereid wrote;
"I think Dogon is referring to the Streptococcus mitis which hitched a ride on Surveyor 3. Doesn't really count as 'extraterrestrial', since it came from Earth."

Yep, it was a hitch-hiker (from Earth) alright.

But, if it LIVES in space, BREATHES in space and REPRODUCES in space (for a period of YEARS).
Then;

I have 100% confidence that Streptococcus mitis is EXTRATERRESTRIAL in origin (ie. It DID NOT originate on Earth, but has adapted to Earth-like conditions, whilst retaining the ability for space travel).

My guess would be that the "hitch-hiker" colonised Earth through Panspermia...