News Space

Phosphorus, a key ingredient of life, has been found in a newborn star system

Astronomers trace molecular phosphorus from still-forming star to comet in our solar system

young star jet

In a distant region of space, a young star shoots out jets of energy (inset), generating simple phosphorus-bearing molecules in the gas and dust of its surroundings.

ALMA/ESO, NAOJ, NRAO; V.M. Rivilla et al; Mario Weigand/www.SkyTrip.de

By Adam Mann

- More than 2 years ago

For the first time, phosphorus, a key ingredient of life, has been pinpointed in a cloud of gas and dust surrounding a newborn star.