Artist Impression Protoplanetary Disk (IMAGE)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Artist Impression Protoplanetary Disk

Caption

This is an artist impression of the protoplanetary disk surrounding the young star MWC 480. ALMA has detected the complex organic molecule methyl cyanide in the outer reaches of the disk in the region where comets are believed to form. This is another indication that complex organic chemistry, and potentially the conditions necessary for life, is universal.

Credit

B. Saxton (NRAO/AUI/NSF)

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