A new study by scientists at Cornell University has hinted at the possibility of life in outer space. Humans require water and it becomes the important element required to sustain life. However on Saturn’ s largest moon Titan, life might exist beyond the possibility of water.
The researchers have observed the presence of hydrogen cyanide in the planet’s atmosphere and said that it might become the life supporting element on the respective moon. It is possible pre-biotic chemical key. Prior studies have indicated that on Titan’s surface, HCN can react to form long chains, or polymers, one of which called polyimine.
NASA’s upgraded technology has aided scientists to uncover the mysteries hidden under the Titan-like cold environmental conditions. Data collected by NASA’s Cassini and Huygens mission shows polyimine is flexible and can absorb the sun’ s energy and become a possible catalyst for life.
“We are used to our own conditions here on Earth. Our scientific experience is at room temperature and ambient conditions. Titan is a completely different beast. So if we think in biological terms, we’ re probably going to be at a dead end.” said Martin Rahm, the postdoctoral researcher in chemistry at Cornell University and lead author of the study.
Titan features terrain with Earth-like attributes such as lakes, rivers and seas and interestingly these liquids fall as rain and affect geology through erosion.
“This paper is a starting point, as we are looking for prebiotic chemistry in conditions other than Earth’s. We need to continue to examine this, to understand how the chemistry evolves over time. We see this as a preparation for further exploration,” adds Rahm.