The bases of life in Titans?

1987/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

French astrophysicists have identified cianhydric acid (HCN) in the satellite of Saturn, Titan. This discovery has a real importance and can have consequences. It was known that the atmosphere of Titan was special, very compact, very cold (-183°C at ground level) and composed almost entirely of nitrogen. Hydrogen, methane, propane, and other hydrocarbons have also been found.

This great chemical activity can produce more complex molecules. The discovery of the HCN molecule is a fact in favor of this concept. The Voyager 1 probe was detected in 1980 as it passed through the Titan area, but it was impossible to provide more accurate data. The French team, which has worked with a millimeter radio telescope, has provided the necessary test. Therefore, there are prebiotic conditions for the creation of life in the Titans.