News Astronomy

Cyanides around young star signal complex organic chemistry

Precursors to molecules needed for life may be common in planetary nurseries

A planet-forming disk around a star

CSI SPACE  The planet-forming disk swirling around a young star (illustrated) contains cyanides, which might be precursors to more complex organic molecules.

JPL-Caltech/NASA

By Christopher Crockett

- More than 2 years ago

Cyanide shows up in apple seeds, toxicology reports and now a planetary nursery encircling a young star.