Methyl bromide: a gas that could also be a trace of life in the universe

Various plants and micro-organisms release gases that help them detoxify, and a team of scientists believe they could be evidence for the existence of life on other planets.

These types of gases are formed when the body adds carbon and three hydrogen atoms to an unwanted chemical element in a process called methylation.

This is such a widespread process on Earth that they hope life somewhere else “it’s being done,” said Mikaela Leung of the University of California, Riverside.

This process can convert potential toxins into gases that float safely in the atmosphere. If these gases were detected in the atmosphere of another planet using telescopes, this would indicate the existence life somewhere on that planet.

What gases can be used for searching?

methylated gas, methyl bromidehas a number of advantages over other gases traditionally used in search life outside the solar system, according to Leung, who led the study, published Astrophysical journal.

This gas stays in the atmosphere for less time than traditional biosignal gases, and if it is detected, “it was most likely produced not too long ago, and no matter what it does, it still produces it,” he said.

Moreover, it is more likely that methyl bromide was caused by something live than a gas such as methane, which can be produced by microbes. But it can also be the product of a volcano or other geological process.

The scientist pointed out that there are several ways to create methylene bromide by non-biological means, “so if it is found, it is more indicative of life.”

Although methyl bromide extremely common on Earth, not easily detectable in our atmosphere due to the intensity of the Sun’s ultraviolet light, but research suggests it would be more noticeable in other types of smaller, cooler, more common stars such as red M dwarfs. .

For this reason, the researchers hope that astrobiologists will begin to consider methyl bromide in future missions and when planning the capabilities of telescopes that will be launched in the coming decades.

The team wants to explore the possibility of using other methylated gases as targets in the search life extraterrestrial, since this group of gases is especially associated with life. (EFE)

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