Life's Foundation: Building Blocks Formed on Cosmic Dust in the Void

Complex organic molecules, which serve as the building blocks of life, may have formed on tiny grains of dust in the cold vacuum of space, according to a new study. These dust grains, enriched with carbon atoms, react with frozen water to create simple molecules containing carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. These molecules then combine and react with other elements and molecules in the dust, forming more complex organic molecules. The findings suggest that the conditions of deep space alone can generate the necessary complexity for life to emerge.