A stunning life nursery has been identified in a mysterious cloud near the center of the Milky Way galaxy, which may very well be the birthplace of humanity.
For a long time, the scientific community has reinforced the theory that essential precursors for life on Earth were delivered by comets and asteroids when our planet was still a fiery sphere. These primordial materials were nurtured to evolve into countless species, including humans.
Graphic depicting a molecular cloud at the center of the galaxy containing Earth – (Image: KEIO UNIVERSITY, NAOJ)
According to SciTech Daily, a team of scientists from Spain, Japan, Chile, Italy, and the United States has identified a variety of nitrile molecules within the G + 0.693-0.027 molecular cloud located near the center of the Milky Way.
Nitrile is a type of organic molecule in the cyano group, which is toxic to modern Earth organisms. However, it is a crucial precursor for prebiotic molecules on Earth, playing a role in the formation of RNA.
According to Dr. Victor M. Rivilla from the Astrobiology Center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), the chemical processes occurring in the interstellar medium are indeed a “nursery” for nitrile.
This aligns with the theory of the “RNA World” supported by the scientific community, which indicates that primitive life was solely based on RNA, and only later were protein enzymes and DNA formed. RNA can simultaneously act as a catalyst for reactions like enzymes while also storing and replicating information like DNA, making it suitable for building primitive life.
These molecules may have been delivered to Earth approximately 3.8 – 4.1 billion years ago, contributing to the formation of the first microorganisms. Subsequently, the evolution of Earth gradually enabled these primitive organisms to develop into the diverse life forms we see today, including humans.
The G + 0.693-0.027 molecular cloud could very well be the birthplace of humanity. It spans up to 3 light-years wide and has a mass approximately 1,000 times that of the Sun, likely evolving to become a star nursery in the future.
