An important building block of life has been discovered in the hazy upper atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Using data from the Cassini mission, scientists identified negatively charged molecules called ‘carbon chain anions’ in the atmosphere of Titan.
These linear molecules are understood to be building blocks towards more complex molecules, and may have acted as the basis for the earliest forms of life on Earth, scientists said.
The discovery of the carbon chain anions is surprising because they are highly reactive and should not last long in Titan’s atmosphere before combining with other materials. “We have made the first unambiguous identification of carbon chain anions in a planet-like atmosphere, which we believe are a vital stepping stone in the production line of growing bigger, and more complex organic molecules,” said Ravi Desai, a PhD student at University College London.