![Overview of the L1544 (LEFT panel) and IRAS 16293–2422 (RIGHT panel) regions as traced by the Herschel3 continuum maps at 350 𝜇m. The white contours correspond to [5,7,9,12,14]𝜎, where 𝜎 is 12 MJy sr−1 in L1544, and 1.1 MJy sr−1 in IRAS 16293–2422, respectively. The FoVs of the GBT observations are shown as blue circles – solid line for Ku-band and dashed line for X-band observations (see Sect. 3). Green diamonds identify the continuum (∼1.3 mm) peak position in L1544 (Ward-Thompson et al. 1999) and the position of the A/B, and E objects in IRAS 16293–2422 (Kahle et al. 2023). The size of the Herschel beam (25′′) is shown in the bottom left corner, while the scale bar is shown in the bottom right. -- astro-ph.GA](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Carbon-chain-diversity.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Astrochemical observations have revealed a surprisingly high level of chemical complexity, including long carbon chains, in the earliest stages of Sun-like star formation.
protostellar system
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
Nascent Chemical Complexity In Prestellar Core IRAS 16293E: Complex Organics And Deuterated Methanol
Prestellar cores represent early sites of low-mass (M ≤ few M⊙) star and planet formation and provide insight into initial chemical conditions of complex organic molecules (COMs).