Organic Molecules Found On Distant World

I really don't know what to make of this, locating a molecule of life is not locating other life, or even the conditions that could harbor life -- carbon lifeforms is how we humans describe life. Yes, the dreaded carbon, the stuff of life as we know it. There are entire bodies in our solar system which are swimming in methane, but have no known life forms. But a discovery is a discovery, make of it what you will.

Methane found on distant world

A carbon-containing molecule has been detected for the first time on a planet outside our Solar System.

The organic compound methane was found in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a star some 63 light years away.

Water has also been found in its atmosphere, but scientists say the planet is far too hot to support life.

The discovery, unveiled in the journal Nature, is an important step towards exploring new worlds that might be more hospitable to life, they say.

Methane, made up of carbon and hydrogen, is the simplest possible organic compound.

Scientists detected the gas in the atmosphere of a Jupiter-sized planet known as HD 189733b.

Co-author Giovanna Tinetti from University College, London, told BBC News: "This planet is a gas giant very similar to our own Jupiter, but orbiting very close to its star.

"The methane here, although we can call it an organic constituent, is not produced by life - it is way too hot there for life."

Life requires things other than just the right molecules.