
It’s possible for life to exist in molecular clouds. Molecular clouds are massive, dense regions of dust and gas in spiral galaxies. They are the sites of star formation
Molecular clouds have the following properties that could support life: Complex molecules, Water, Carbon compounds.
However, the conditions in molecular clouds are also very hostile. Some of these conditions include:
- Extreme temperatures and pressures
- Temperatures as low as -263 Celsius
- No solid surface
The simplest organisms, like bacteria, may be able to survive in these conditions.
The James Webb Space Telescope has found complex prebiotic molecules in molecular clouds. These molecules are precursors to the building blocks of life.
The main problem with life in molecular clouds concerns the temperature. It can be as low as 10 Kelvin or -263 Celsius. That’s extremely cold, even for Earth’s extremophiles. There’s also no solid surface, but that might not be enough to prohibit life
Molecular clouds are made up of:
- Gas
- Dust
- Stars
- Molecular hydrogen
- Interstellar dust grains
- Rare organic and inorganic molecules
The most common molecule in molecular clouds is molecular hydrogen (H2). Other molecules include:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Organic compounds such as methanol
Molecular clouds are about 150 light-years across. They have an average density of 100 to 300 molecules per cubic centimeter and an internal temperature of only 7 to 15 K.
Molecular clouds are made up of gas and dust, and contain many stars. The gas in the cloud is in the form of molecules, like oxygen and carbon dioxide. The most common molecule in molecular clouds is molecular hydrogen. Other molecules include:
- Carbon monoxide
- Organic compounds like methanol
- Interstellar dust grains
- Rare organic and inorganic molecules
Molecular clouds also contain other elements and compounds.
A molecular cloud is an interstellar cloud of gas and dust in which molecules can form, the most common of which is hydrogen (H2). The Hubble Space Telescope has provided us with images of numerous young solar mass stars forming in giant molecular clouds such as the Eagle and Orion Nebulae
Yes, stars are born in giant molecular clouds (GMCs). GMCs are massive, dense regions of gas and dust that can span hundreds of light-years. They are made up of molecular hydrogen, helium, and other trace elements
GMCs are the birthplace of stars because they are subjected to forces like turbulence, gravitational attraction, and external pressures. These forces cause the clouds to fragment and collapse into smaller, denser regions called cores. In these cores, stars begin to form.
Most stars form in GMCs that have masses as large as 3 × 106 solar masses. The Orion molecular cloud is one of the most well-studied clouds, and is currently forming stars.
Life may exist in molecular clouds because they contain complex molecules that support life, such as: Water, Organic molecules, Carbon compounds, Liquid hydrogen.
Molecular clouds are the only places other than planets that contain these complex molecules. The Perseus Molecular Cloud, a young cluster of stars and gas in deep space, contains prebiotic molecules.
The simplest organisms, like bacteria, may be able to survive in molecular clouds. The physical conditions in molecular clouds are different from those on Earth, so the type of life supported there is different.
Feng explains that liquid hydrogen in molecular cloud life (MCL) could play the same role that water plays in Earth life. “A liquid hydrogen state is an ideal place for biochemical reactions similar to the water environment of cells on Earth,” he states
Molecular clouds can live for up to 100 million years. However, the hydrogen molecules within the cloud only last up to four million years. The cloud maintains balance by replacing each evaporated molecule with a new one.
Molecular clouds are thought to dissipate due to pressure from stars formed within them. The diffuse clouds that remain are the residue from the star formation process.
Molecular clouds contain more than 150 chemical species. Some of these molecules could play a role in forming prebiotic molecules and more complex hydrocarbons. These include:
- Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
- Ethane (C2H6)
- Hexatrine (C6H2)
- Benzene (C6H6)
Life may exist in molecular clouds. According to models like panspermia, the ancestor of Earth life came from interstellar space.(full article source google)
Best desktops on heavy discount on Amazon
https://19b9dnhp62u-irkj5jcy-8dhft.hop.clickbank.net