Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) might be a lethal poison today, but it may have been the essential "spark" that kick-started life on Earth and potentially other icy worlds like Saturn’s moon, Titan. Scientists have discovered that at extremely low temperatures, hydrogen cyanide transforms into unique, needle-like crystals that resemble "icy cobwebs." The chemical properties of these crystals change this poisonous substance into a key building block to make the components of DNA. The new study published in the journal ACS Central Science states that the deadly chemical might have been essential for all life to start on Earth. Martin Rahm, a co-author of the study from Chalmers University of Technology, said, "Hydrogen cyanide is likely one source of this chemical complexity, and we show that it can react surprisingly quickly in cold places." Rahm and his team found that when it is frozen, HCN crystal surfaces could trigger chemical reactions that might not be otherwise possible in cold environments.&nbsp;They state that these surfaces generate permanent electric fields that act as a "chemical engine" to lower the energy barriers for certain reactions. According to the researchers, these electric fields can transform HCN into the more reactive hydrogen isocyanide (HNC). This more reactive version is a key building block for complex prebiotic molecules like amino acids and nucleic acids. The study contradicts previous findings that suggest life originated in warm, liquid environments. Life's precursors could have emerged in cryogenic conditions, making the ultra-cold surface of comets or icy moons the perfect candidates.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/webb-peers-deep-inside-the-eye-of-god-spotting-core-of-a-dead-star-1768999408201">Webb peers deep inside the Eye of God, spotting core of a dead star</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-reveal-some-asteroids-could-become-even-more-lethal-as-they-enter-earth-1768826705999">Scientists reveal some asteroids could become even more lethal as they enter Earth</a><h2>Why is Titan a potential candidate for alien life?</h2>This research by Rahm and his colleagues also solves the mystery of why Titan's atmosphere contains an "anomalous" abundance of these reactive chemicals. Titan could be a massive "chemical laboratory" for the processes that happened on early Earth.&nbsp;“Aside from its utility as an industrial chemical, its abundance makes it of interest in planetary science, in astrochemistry and as a plausible key building block for the chemistry that preceded the origins of life,” the authors wrote.&nbsp;It also answers the question of where to look for life in space. NASA and other space agencies can work to locate cyanide crystals on other cosmic bodies, as it is likely a potential catalyst for life. This would narrow down options for the search for life as astronomers would know the specific "chemical fingerprints" to look for on other frozen planets. &nbsp;

Scientists have discovered that hydrogen cyanide forms strange "icy cobwebs" at low temperatures. These structures act as a chemical engine, creating the prebiotic building blocks for the origin of life.

Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) might be a lethal poison today, but it may have been the essential "spark" that kick-started life on Earth and potentially other icy worlds like Saturn’s moon, Titan. Scientists have discovered that at extremely low temperatures, hydrogen cyanide transforms into unique, needle-like crystals that resemble "icy cobwebs." The chemical properties of these crystals change this poisonous substance into a key building block to make the components of DNA. The new study published in the journal ACS Central Science states that the deadly chemical might have been essential for all life to start on Earth. Martin Rahm, a co-author of the study from Chalmers University of Technology, said, "Hydrogen cyanide is likely one source of this chemical complexity, and we show that it can react surprisingly quickly in cold places." Rahm and his team found that when it is frozen, HCN crystal surfaces could trigger chemical reactions that might not be otherwise possible in cold environments. They state that these surfaces generate permanent electric fields that act as a "chemical engine" to lower the energy barriers for certain reactions. According to the researchers, these electric fields can transform HCN into the more reactive hydrogen isocyanide (HNC). This more reactive version is a key building block for complex prebiotic molecules like amino acids and nucleic acids. The study contradicts previous findings that suggest life originated in warm, liquid environments. Life's precursors could have emerged in cryogenic conditions, making the ultra-cold surface of comets or icy moons the perfect candidates. Also Read: Webb peers deep inside the Eye of God, spotting core of a dead star Also Read: Scientists reveal some asteroids could become even more lethal as they enter Earth Why is Titan a potential candidate for alien life? This research by Rahm and his colleagues also solves the mystery of why Titan's atmosphere contains an "anomalous" abundance of these reactive chemicals. Titan could be a massive "chemical laboratory" for the processes that happened on early Earth. “Aside from its utility as an industrial chemical, its abundance makes it of interest in planetary science, in astrochemistry and as a plausible key building block for the chemistry that preceded the origins of life,” the authors wrote. It also answers the question of where to look for life in space. NASA and other space agencies can work to locate cyanide crystals on other cosmic bodies, as it is likely a potential catalyst for life. This would narrow down options for the search for life as astronomers would know the specific "chemical fingerprints" to look for on other frozen planets.

A deadly poison could have been responsible for starting life on Earth, according to a study. Hydrogen Cyanide could have formed “icy cobwebs” that acted as a catalyst. The findings can help focus searches for alien life on bodies where this chemical is present.&nbsp;

Strange poisonous 'icy cobwebs' may have been the engines that sparked life on Earth

The icy moons in space, which were once potential sites for life, might not be able to host living beings&nbsp;like on Earth, a recent study by NASA suggests.&nbsp;

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is frequently considered a potential contender for hosting life. This celestial body stands out as the sole location in the Solar System, besides Earth, where surface liquids are confirmed to exist, comprising rivers, lakes, and seas.

The rivers, lakes, and seas on Titan are filled with liquid hydrocarbons, mostly methane. Scientists were particularly interested in a huge ocean hidden beneath Titan's icy surface. This ocean is believed to be over 12 times bigger than Earth's oceans and lies about 55 to 80 kilometres (35 to 50 miles) beneath the ground.

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<h2>Why Titan could not be the next Earth?</h2>

"Titan’s rivers, lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane might serve as a habitable environment on the moon’s surface, though any life there would likely be very different from Earth’s life," NASA explains.

Having liquid water below the surface is good for life, but you also need organics. Scientists earlier believed that these essential ingredients could be brought to the ocean beneath Titan's surface. There, they could mix together, get heated up, and possibly start life when space objects hit the surface.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-man-walking-his-dog-finds-a-70-million-year-old-bone-from-a-near-complete-dinosaur-fossil-690731">A man found a bone while walking his dog. What he discovered next was 'pre-historic'</a>

The theory was that the surface, which is full of organics, would mix with the ocean underneath when objects hit it and melt patches of ice. As it's heavier than the ice around it, this mixture would sink down into the ocean below.

However, a study by the University of Western Ontario tried to figure out how many comets hit Titan each year and how much organics they brought&nbsp;to the ocean below. Sadly, the team discovered that only about 7,500 kilograms (16,500 pounds) of glycine, the simplest amino acid, would be delivered to the ocean. That's about the weight of an adult elephant.

"One elephant per year of glycine into an ocean 12 times the volume of Earth's oceans is not sufficient to sustain life," astrobiologist Catherine Neish said in a press release.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/taste-of-your-favourite-tea-may-be-dependent-on-specific-microbes-690728">Taste of your favourite tea may be dependent on specific microbes</a>

"In the past, people often assumed that water equals life, but they neglected the fact that life needs other elements, in particular carbon."

"This work shows that it is very hard to transfer the carbon on Titan's surface to its subsurface ocean –basically, it's hard to have both the water and carbon needed for life in the same place," Neish added.

However, there's still a possibility of life&nbsp;if there are more organics on the surface than we thought. And&nbsp;if organics could come from the core, or other processes could bring organics from the surface to the ocean below.

(With inputs from agencies)

The icy moons in space, which were once potential sites for life, might not be able to host living beings like on Earth, a recent study by NASA suggests. Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is frequently considered a potential contender for hosting life.

The icy moons in space, which were once potential sites for life, might not be able to host living beings like on Earth, a recent study by NASA suggests. Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is frequently considered a potential contender for hosting life. This celestial body stands out as the sole location in the Solar System, besides Earth, where surface liquids are confirmed to exist, comprising rivers, lakes, and seas. The rivers, lakes, and seas on Titan are filled with liquid hydrocarbons, mostly methane. Scientists were particularly interested in a huge ocean hidden beneath Titan's icy surface. This ocean is believed to be over 12 times bigger than Earth's oceans and lies about 55 to 80 kilometres (35 to 50 miles) beneath the ground. Also Read | 'Future is wild': Netizens react to OpenAI's newly launched Sora that creates HD videos from written text Why Titan could not be the next Earth? "Titan’s rivers, lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane might serve as a habitable environment on the moon’s surface, though any life there would likely be very different from Earth’s life," NASA explains. Having liquid water below the surface is good for life, but you also need organics. Scientists earlier believed that these essential ingredients could be brought to the ocean beneath Titan's surface. There, they could mix together, get heated up, and possibly start life when space objects hit the surface. Also Read | A man found a bone while walking his dog. What he discovered next was 'pre-historic' The theory was that the surface, which is full of organics, would mix with the ocean underneath when objects hit it and melt patches of ice. As it's heavier than the ice around it, this mixture would sink down into the ocean below. However, a study by the University of Western Ontario tried to figure out how many comets hit Titan each year and how much organics they brought to the ocean below. Sadly, the team discovered that only about 7,500 kilograms (16,500 pounds) of glycine, the simplest amino acid, would be delivered to the ocean. That's about the weight of an adult elephant. "One elephant per year of glycine into an ocean 12 times the volume of Earth's oceans is not sufficient to sustain life," astrobiologist Catherine Neish said in a press release. Also Read | Taste of your favourite tea may be dependent on specific microbes "In the past, people often assumed that water equals life, but they neglected the fact that life needs other elements, in particular carbon." "This work shows that it is very hard to transfer the carbon on Titan's surface to its subsurface ocean –basically, it's hard to have both the water and carbon needed for life in the same place," Neish added. However, there's still a possibility of life if there are more organics on the surface than we thought. And if organics could come from the core, or other processes could bring organics from the surface to the ocean below. (With inputs from agencies)

Solar system's icy moons like Titan may not host life, NASA study suggests

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Strange poisonous 'icy cobwebs' may have been the engines that sparked life on Earth

Solar system's icy moons like Titan may not host life, NASA study suggests