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Steveo · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject: Alcohol in space

Alcohol cloud spotted in deep space
Astronomers say they have spotted a cloud of alcohol in deep space that measures 463 billion kilometres across, a finding that could shed light on how giant stars are formed from primordial gas.

The vast bridge-shaped cloud of methyl alcohol has been spotted in a region of our galaxy, the Milky Way, that is called W3(OH), where stars are being formed by the gravitational collapse of concentrations of gas and dust, the discoverers said in a press release.

Methanol, an organic (carbon-based) molecule, is a cousin of ethanol, which is found in alcoholic beverages.

The cloud was spotted by astronomers based at Britain's Jodrell Bank Observatory led by Lisa Harvey-Smith.

Their work was to be presented on Tuesday at a meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in Leicester, central England.

In 2004, methanol, also called methyl alcohol, was spotted for the first time in one of the disc-like clusters that form around nascent stars.

That discovery opened up a new area of debate in astrophysics, challenging the conventional view that interstellar chemistry could not provide the conditions for creating complex molecules, as they would be ripped apart by ultraviolet radiation from stars and other tough conditions.

Around 130 organic molecules have also been identified so far in outer space, fuelling speculation that these complex molecules may have helped to sow the seeds for life on the fledgling Earth.

NEVER DRINK AND FLY!!!

Cyberpumpkin · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:38 pm Post subject:

Anheiser Busch is already putting dibs on that giant booze-nebula as we speak. Now all we need is a cost-effective way to get it into cans on Earth.

Sharp · Gender: Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 5942 Status: User

Shoot some grains into space! I want my buds!

Terri · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

Man, popular science articles are so laughable. Can you post where you found that, Steve? Not because I don't believe you, I'm just honestly curious.

Sigh. "A cousin of ethanol." How friggin lame. I suppose they're only one carbon away, but I don't think that many people purposely drink methanol, or isopropanol (which is also one carbon away), for that matter...

Plus, wait, scientists have found 130 organic molecules in "outer space?" (Whatever that even means...) Huh? I'm assuming that means 130 different compounds; did I really miss that much when I took astrobio?

Confused.

Steveo · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:24 am Post subject:

Here ya go Terri:

http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200604/s1607840.htm

I saw this on yahoo news awhile ago. People are having the biggest laugh over it.

Terri · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:50 am Post subject:

Hooooomsar · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:51 am Post subject:

I think I speak for everyone when I say "let's build a spaceship" and I respond in advance to the question who will be designated driver with "123 not it"
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I'M A TARD Very Happy

Yazz · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:02 am Post subject:

i second that motion
not it.
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"Everyone makes choices in this world, sometimes we choose right and sometimes we choose wrong, with that in mind no matter what we choose we should aim to have fun no matter what we are doing." Yazz

Beyond the Grave · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:27 am Post subject:

Already beat you to it.

See ya later, jerkies.
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Cyberpumpkin · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:28 am Post subject:

Terri · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: