Some scientists argue that life on Earth originated from outer space. Based on their theory, in the past the Earth once bombarded by asteroids that once brought the molecules of life.
Is it true that opinion? Lately, evidence is growing stronger. In 2009 Dr. Daniel Glavin find amino acid molecules in a fraction of asteroids that successfully reached the surface of the earth.
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of protein molecules, ie molecules that play a major role in life, from digesting food to immune function. Amino acids found in meteorites that is L-isovaline.
The evidence is strengthened by recent findings Glavin. Astrobiologi expert who became researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, this time finding the amino acids in meteorites 9 units.
In the studied meteorites, Glavin found that all amino acid-rich species L. Several others have amino acid amino acid L and R are balanced. None of the amino acid-rich R.
L amino acids are found in many kinds of living things. R amino acids seen from its structure is the "mirror" or the isomer (chemical term) of the amino acid L. R amino acid found only in bacteria and several species of sea slugs.
With these results, Glavin said, "This is evidence that the discovery of the past is not a coincidence. Indeed there is something that happens so that this meteorite is also rich in amino acids of L."
Glavin said the results of this study is also a clue. If life on earth consisted mostly of amino acids L, is not impossible that these molecules are actually derived from meteorites.
"The meteorite, meteorite amino acids may send L to the earth which will eventually help the formation of 'soup' prakehidupan. It could be a clue that we are destined to be a living being L," he said.
Glavin research results published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, published January 17, 2011. Among the nine meteorites studied Galvin, one of which is Murchison which hit Australia in 1969.
In his research, Glavin also found that water had a role in increasing the number of L amino acids. Glavin found the existence of hydrated minerals (reacts with water) on the amino acid-rich meteorites L.
"Water seems to be the key. The more asteroids are in contact with water, the more L amino acid which is found," he said. However, the mechanism of water increases the amount of the amino acid L is unknown.
Meanwhile, Glavin also touched on the role of radiation in the dominance of the amino acid L. Cosmic ray radiation during solar still may be a bit young to support the creation and destruction of the amino acid L amino acid R.
All results can be a clue that other parts of the solar system was dominated by the amino acid L. So, if there is life on other parts of the solar system, life must also be dominated by the amino acid L.
"We seem to not want to see a reflection of the L amino acids in our solar system," Glavin said in an interview with Nature, January 19, 2011. L amino acids are often called left-handed amino acids.
Our Life is From Space???
Space-style Christmas
Recently, scientists found gas bubbles in space that allegedly formed from supernova explosion four centuries ago. The gas bubble is red, much like decoration that hung on the Christmas tree.
Based on reports the Daily Mail, the image of the bubble is captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. Known, the supernova explosion that produced a bubble that occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy is 160,000 light years from Earth.
Gas bubbles are named SNR B0509-67.5 or simply SNR 0509. Bubble diameter of 23 light years and continues to expand by 11 million kilometers per hour. The image is actually a bubble of gas has been arrested several times.
The exterior of the gas bubbles have a ripple or wave. The researchers estimate, it is caused by the ambient interstellar gas density even though they are not so sure.
By the age of 400 years until today, the supernova that formed gas bubbles is expected to be viewed by residents of southern hemisphere in 1600. However, not known of the new stars that formed at that time.
Type of supernova that resulted in the formation of gas bubbles is Type 1a. The explosion occurred due to rob a white dwarf star material that was conceived by its partner, take it so much that eventually exploded.
A sea of Pluto!
Some time ago, was rumored to Pluto is not classified as planets since the issuance of the IAU (International Astronomical Union) which makes the terms - the terms of a sky object is categorized as a planet. Some conditions that is, a certain star orbits, have enough mass to have its own gravity, not too large so as to cause thermonuclear fusion, and had emptied the orbit so as not to be occupied by other celestial bodies is greater. The emergence of the requirements was also associated with the discovery of Eris known larger than Pluto.
After approximately 4 years removed Pluto as a planet, now found in the sea at Pluto. Then, whether by the sea, can substitute for Mars which he said could become a haven other than on Earth? That is still a question.
Simulation of the sea on Pluto, written by Robuchon at sinopses study presented last week at the American Geophysical Union conference, hinting that Pluto has a sea current. Scientists suspect the sea itself was derived from Pluto have a nucleus of a stone that has radioactive material. Slowly, the core is broken, releasing heat that could melt the ice while maintaining a liquid form that.
These allegations, may be proved about 5 years. At that time, New Horizon's spacecraft will arrive at Pluto NASA as part of a 10-year journey to get there. New Horizon is an unmanned spacecraft sent to Pluto. Currently, New Horizon has a distance of 3 billion miles. Scientists also will look at Pluto's poles to determine the form of the inside of Pluto. Presence or absence of the sea, we'll see together. If indeed there is, how do you think?