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Prebiotic polymers and infrared spectra of galactic sources

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Abstract

INFRARED absorption features characteristic of molecular dust clouds in the Galaxy may be assigned to complex organic polymers or prebiotic polymers. It could be argued that such highly stable, complex polymers evolve due to radiation processing of molecular mantles on interstellar grains—essentially by a type of natural selection which operates in the interstellar medium. A large fraction of all C, N, O elements in the interstellar medium could be condensed in the form of these stable polymers. Such interstellar material may also account for a significant fraction of the ‘insoluble organic matter’ which is found in carbonaceous chondrites.

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Author notes

  1. F. HOYLE

    Present address: Coxley Moor, Dockray, Penrith, Cumbria

  2. F. HOYLE: Honorary Profesional Fellow.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Astronomy, University College, Cardiff, UK

    N. C. WICKRAMASINGHE & F. HOYLE

  2. School of Chemistry, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK

    J. BROOKS & G. SHAW

Authors
  1. N. C. WICKRAMASINGHE
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  2. F. HOYLE
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  3. J. BROOKS
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  4. G. SHAW
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WICKRAMASINGHE, N., HOYLE, F., BROOKS, J. et al. Prebiotic polymers and infrared spectra of galactic sources. Nature 269, 674–676 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/269674a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/269674a0

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