Discovery of Life's Building Blocks Around Star V883 Orionis

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery surrounding the young star V883 Orionis, located approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth. Utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a research team led by Abubakar Fadul from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy has detected a plethora of complex organic molecules in the star's protoplanetary disc. This finding not only sheds light on the origins of life but also challenges existing theories regarding the formation of complex molecules in space.

The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters on July 26, 2025, highlights the detection of seventeen different organic compounds, including ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile—both of which are considered precursors to essential biological molecules such as amino acids and nucleobases. These organic compounds were found in the icy outer regions of the disc, where they were preserved until they were vaporized by the intense heat emitted during V883 Orionis's growth spurts.

Historically, scientists have identified organic molecules in various celestial bodies, including comets and interstellar clouds; however, the conventional belief was that the violent environment of star formation would obliterate these molecules. This perspective, termed the 'reset scenario,' postulated that prebiotic compounds would need to be synthesized anew in young solar systems. The recent findings from V883 Orionis, however, suggest that complex organic molecules can survive the tumultuous processes of star formation, thereby directly contributing to the chemical makeup of nascent planetary systems.

Fadul asserts that this study indicates a continuous progression of chemical complexity that occurs from interstellar clouds to fully developed planetary systems. "Our finding points to a straight line of chemical enrichment and increasing complexity between interstellar clouds and fully evolved planetary systems," he stated. Kamber Schwarz, another researcher from MPIA, echoed this sentiment, noting that the protoplanetary discs may inherit complex molecules from earlier cosmic stages.

The implications of this research extend beyond the star V883 Orionis itself. The presence of these prebiotic molecules in a region where planets are forming hints at the possibility of similar processes occurring in other star systems throughout the galaxy, potentially facilitating the emergence of life elsewhere.

The detection process was intricate, requiring the team to analyze spectral lines in the 348–366 GHz frequency range across six observation sessions from December 2021 to September 2022. ALMA's unique position in the Atacama Desert allows it to capture faint signals from space, making it an invaluable tool for this type of research.

While this discovery does not constitute proof of extraterrestrial life, it contributes valuable insights into how the fundamental ingredients for life can exist in the cosmos. As researchers continue to explore the molecular signals from distant stars, the universe appears to be a rich tapestry of potential life-building chemistry, raising the prospect that the conditions conducive to life may be more prevalent than previously thought. Further investigations are planned, with hopes of uncovering even more complex organic molecules within these celestial environments, enhancing our understanding of life's origins on Earth and beyond.