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Methane Found on Far-off Planet

Compound, crucial ingredient in early-life chemistry, detected 63 light years away

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Methane, one of the simplest compounds known to play a role in the chemical genesis of life, was discovered for the first time to exist on a planet outside Earth’s solar system, the BBC reports. The planet, designated HD 189733b, is 63 light years away and also contains water, but is far too hot to support life as we know it.

Methane, composed of carbon and hydrogen, is the fundamental organic compound. "This is a crucial stepping stone to eventually characterizing prebiotic molecules on planets where life could exist," one scientist said of the detection by a space telescope. Scientists know the mass and orbital properties of about 270 extrasolar planets, but are just beginning to collect more detailed information.

The chemical structure of methane, the simplest organic compound.
The chemical structure of methane, the simplest organic compound.   (Wikimedia commons)
Picture released 04 October 2006 by the European Space Agency shows an artist's impression of a Jupiter-sized planet passing in front of its parent star.
Picture released 04 October 2006 by the European Space Agency shows an artist's impression of a Jupiter-sized planet passing in front of its parent star.   (Getty Images)
The Planet Jupiter is visible to the naked eye as it passes behind the moon at the Mount Cootha Lookout on June 16, 2005 in Brisbane, Australia. A planet found to contain methane is a gas giant similar to Jupiter.
The Planet Jupiter is visible to the naked eye as it passes behind the moon at the Mount Cootha Lookout on June 16, 2005 in Brisbane, Australia. A planet found to contain methane is a gas giant similar...   ((Jonathan Wood/Getty Images))
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Methane-containing planet similar to Jupiter
National Geographic

Hubble's methane discovery a 'dress rehearsal' for ET life searches
MSNBC

Huge methane and ethane pools found on Saturn's Titan
Associated Press

 
Hubble • space • methane • extraterrestrial life • Spitzer orbiting telescope • carbon • Jupiter • extrasolar planets • gas giant • prebiotic chemicals • organic compounds

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