The substance that makes life

Hubble Space Telescope discovered signs of the existence of complex organic molecules, important components of living cells, on the surface of Pluto.

>>>5 mysteries about Pluto

The image of Pluto's surface data sent by the Hubble telescope shows that some of the compounds on the asteroid surface absorb ultraviolet light more strongly than other compounds. Scientists from the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) identified them as either hydrocarbon or nitrogen-containing organic compounds, Space reported.

Pluto King

Scientists already know Pluto asteroids contain methane (CH ₄ ), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen (N) on its surface. However, these substances exist in the form of ice, not gas. Ultraviolet absorbers can be generated when sunlight or cosmic radiation interacts with the ice.

'This is an interesting finding because the hydrocarbons and other complex organic compounds on Pluto can cause its surface to be red,' said Alan Stern, an expert at Southwest Research Institute. in the US, speak.

Pluto revolves around the sun in a belt of ice objects called Kuiper. Many other ice objects in the Kuiper belt are also reddish. Previously many scientists had guessed that ice objects contained organic compounds.

Organic substances are important components of living cells. So scientists are always looking for them in an effort to hunt for life in the universe.