Titan's haze may hold ingredients for life

[TemperateSeaIsland]

In an experiment exploring the chemical processes that might be going on in the hazy atmosphere enshrouding Saturn's largest moon, a University of Arizona-led team of scientists discovered a variety of complex organic molecules – including amino acids and nucleotide bases, the most important ingredients of life on Earth.

Titan's haze may hold ingredients for life

Cool! A new environment where amino acids and nucleotides may be forming.

 

[laconicstudent]

Ah, science is so beautiful.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

And in other news, a half complete 737 has been spotted orbiting Pluto.

ty to ther OP for the thread, I like astrobiology!

 

[TemperateSeaIsland]

Interesting, looking at the middle picture it looks like she's drawn an intermediate imine compound that looks like it's the result of HCN polymerization. Looking at sciencedirect these things are intermediate compound is the formation of amino acids and I wouldnt be surprised nucleotide bases too.

 

[Chesterton]

Titan's haze may hold ingredients for life

Cool! A new environment where amino acids and nucleotides may be forming.

I don't mean to sound snarky, but why is that cool? If that is happening there, is it a good thing?

 

[Delphiki]

I don't mean to sound snarky, but why is that cool? If that is happening there, is it a good thing?

Absolutely - It would be the first time we know of another place, besides, earth, where amino acids and other building blocks of life have formed in nature. Think of it as a frozen model of the dawning of life on earth.

 

[Chesterton]

Absolutely - It would be the first time we know of another place, besides, earth, where amino acids and other building blocks of life have formed in nature. Think of it as a frozen model of the dawning of life on earth.

Granted it would be that, but I don't see why that's a postively good thing.

 

[Pwnzerfaust]

Granted it would be that, but I don't see why that's a postively good thing.

When isn't knowledge and discoveries and the advancement of science a good thing?

 

[Chesterton]

When isn't knowledge and discoveries and the advancement of science a good thing?

I'm asking about this particular situation. Not science in general.

 

[Delphiki]

It's "cool" because it's the first evidence, outside of well educated hypothesis, that life exists elsewhere in the universe. This means that, while Triton may not be habitable by humans, other planets that fit closer criteria (Gliese 581 G, for example) would have a much higher probability of supporting intelligent life -- perhaps even human life in the future. It means life is further proven to be every bit as persistent as we thought.

It also gives us more insight into how abiogenesis may have happened, again with evidence, and not just educated speculation.

Anyway, if quenching a thirst for knowledge doesn't excite you in the smallest amount, then you probably just don't have an attraction toward science and knowledge. No biggie.

 

[Pwnzerfaust]

I'm asking about this particular situation. Not science in general.

Perhaps because it will give us a better understanding of how life began here on Earth. Which is good. One less gap in the knowledge for God of the Gaps arguments to fill with speculative fiction.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Granted it would be that, but I don't see why that's a postively good thing.

Because it's the current hypothesis as to life began here on Earth -- seeing it actually happen a stone's throw away (astronomically speaking), supports the hypothesis.

And when scientists say "Hey! Here's something that supports our hypothesis! We're on the right track here!" That's generally a good thing.

 

[Delphiki]

And when scientists say "Hey! Here's something that supports our hypothesis! We're on the right track here!" That's generally a good thing.

Actually, in my opinion, it's a good thing either way -- whether it supports a hypothesis or contradicts it. As long as it furthers our understanding.

 

[Chesterton]

It's "cool" because it's the first evidence, outside of well educated hypothesis, that life exists elsewhere in the universe. This means that, while Triton may not be habitable by humans, other planets that fit closer criteria (Gliese 581 G, for example) would have a much higher probability of supporting intelligent life -- perhaps even human life in the future. It means life is further proven to be every bit as persistent as we thought.

It also gives us more insight into how abiogenesis may have happened, again with evidence, and not just educated speculation.

Anyway, if quenching a thirst for knowledge doesn't excite you in the smallest amount, then you probably just don't have an attraction toward science and knowledge. No biggie.

You're saying it would the first evidence of abiogenesis? Okay, that is cool.

Well wait...why is that cool?

 

[Nathan Poe]

You're saying it would the first evidence of abiogenesis? Okay, that is cool.

Well wait...why is that cool?

You don't think having a theory and finding evidence to support it is cool?

 

[Chesterton]

You don't think having a theory and finding evidence to support it is cool?

Not necessarily. If it leads to a cure for cancer or some cool application, then it would be cool. Otherwise, facts are kind of neutral things.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Not necessarily. If it leads to a cure for cancer or some cool application, then it would be cool. Otherwise, facts are kind of neutral things.

We're learning more about where we came from and how we got here -- that knowledge might not have any immediate benefits, but knowing something is more productive than not knowing.

 

[AV1611VET]

It's "cool" because it's the first evidence, outside of well educated hypothesis, that life exists elsewhere in the universe. This means that, while Triton may not be habitable by humans, other planets that fit closer criteria (Gliese 581 G, for example) would have a much higher probability of supporting intelligent life -- perhaps even human life in the future. It means life is further proven to be every bit as persistent as we thought.

How you got from first evidence to proven is beyond me.

It also gives us more insight into how abiogenesis may have happened, again with evidence, and not just educated speculation.

Right -- you guys don't know how abiogenesis happened here, and so you're going to get more details from some distant planet?

Anyway, if quenching a thirst for knowledge doesn't excite you in the smallest amount, then you probably just don't have an attraction toward science and knowledge. No biggie.

You come across as a PR specialist -- (to me, anyway).

 

[Chesterton]

We're learning more about where we came from and how we got here -- that knowledge might not have any immediate benefits, but knowing something is more productive than not knowing.

Fair enough, but again, I'm asking about this particular situation. How would having this knowledge be more productive than not having it?

 

[AV1611VET]

Perhaps because it will give us a better understanding of how life began here on Earth.

Ya -- every planet in the universe but the ones in our own solar system -- (sorry, Pluto) -- is just standing by to give us a better understanding of [insert your particular interest here].