Carbon-rich Molecules in Meteors the “˜Origin of Life’
September 25, 2008  Tons, perhaps tens of tons, of carbon
molecules in dust particles and meteorites fall on Earth daily.
Meteorites are especially valuable to astronomers because they
provide relatively big chunks of carbon molecules that are
easily analyzed in the laboratory. In the past few years,
researchers have noticed that most meteorite carbon are
molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which
are very stable compounds and are survivors.  PAHs are the most
common carbon-rich compound in the universe. They are found in
everything from distant galaxies to charbroiled hamburgers and
engine soot. When they are first formed, or found in space,
their structures resemble pieces of chicken wire, fused six-
sided rings. However, when found in meteorites, these aromatic
rings are carrying extra hydrogen or oxygen.  Scientists at NASA
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. performed laboratory
experiments that explain the process by whi