From the ArcaMax Publishing, Science & Technology Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/technology/s-288520-868178
ARECIBO, Puerto Rico (UPI) -- Astronomers at the Arecibo Observatory
in Puerto Rico have, for the first time, detected the molecules
methanimine and hydrogen cyanide in another galaxy.
The methanimine and hydrogen cyanide -- two ingredients that build
life-forming amino acids -- were found in the galaxy Arp 220, some 250
million light-years from Earth.
The molecules were found by searching radio emissions at specific
frequencies. Each chemical substance has a unique radio frequency and
astronomers can use that to identify substances.
Robert Minchin, an Arecibo astronomer said methanimine and hydrogen
cyanide, when combined with water, form glycine -- the simplest amino
acid and a building block of life on Earth.
The astronomers, led by Christopher Salter, announced the discovery
Friday in Austin, Texas, during a meeting of the American Astronomical
Society.
The Arecibo Observatory is managed by Cornell University for the
National Science Foundation.