ABSTRACT

The Illinois Junior Academy of Science

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CATEGORY Astronomy STATE REGION # 6
SCHOOL Niles North High School IJAS SCHOOL # 6038
CITY/ZIP Skokie, IL 60077 SCHOOL PHONE # 847-626-2254
SPONSOR Christine Camel

MARK ONE: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION DESIGN INVESTIGATION

NAME OF SCIENTIST* Christopher Scheithauer GRADE 10

* If this project is awarded a monetary prize, the check will be written in this scientist's name, and it
will be his/her responsibility to distribute the prize money equally among all participating scientists.

PROJECT TITLE A Spectral Analysis of Interstellar Organic Compounds

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to detect pyrimidine, purine, and glycine in the Sagittarius
B(2) dust cloud.
Procedure:
1. Resting frequencies were obtained from Kuan papers and National Institute of Standards,
Technology's Material Measurement Laboratory, and Wolfram Mathematica.

2. Using the VizieR search function at Centre de Donnes Astronomiques de Strasbourg, locate the Sgr
B2(N) and Sgr B2(M) IRAM 30m line survey

3. Count the number of times a flux between the ranges of 200-265, 300-337, and 180-210 GHz is
reported.

Conclusion: Because the spectral signatures from Sagittarius B(2) were not even in the correct range for the
specific kinds of molecules in the study, it is safe to conclude, with our current data, that these compounds
probably dont exist in Sagittarius B(2). Because Sagittarius B(2) is the most prolific cloud when it comes to
the creation of complex organic molecules, it is also safe to assume that no other interstellar dust clouds
harbor these molecules.











A SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF INTERSTELLAR ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
CHRISTOPHER SCHEITHAUER








Scheithauer, I

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................................... II
PURPOSE...........................................................................................................................................1
HYPOTHESIS......................................................................................................................................1
RATIONALE.......................................................................................................................................2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE...................................................................................................................9
MATERIALS AND METHODS OF PROCEDURE...................................................................................10
VARIABLES.....................................................................................................................................11
RESULTS.........................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSIONS.................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14-18

Scheithauer, II

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to thank the taxpayers of District 219 for their immense support of the
STEM education of numerous students at Niles North High School.
He would also like to thank Illinois Junior Academy of Science got their contributions to STEM
education as well as his family for their unceasing support.

Scheithauer, 1

PURPOSE
The purpose of this analysis was to discover if spectral characteristics of pyrimidine, purine, and
glycine could be found from the Sagittarius B(2) cloud.

HYPOTHESIS
If spectroscopic data from the Sagittarius B(2) molecular cloud from the Centre de Donnes
Astronomiques de Strasbourgs Sgr B2(N) and Sgr B2(M) IRAM 30m line survey (Belloche,
2013) is analyzed for the three following resting frequency ranges, (as recommended by NIST
Recommended Rest Frequencies for Observed Interstellar Molecular Microwave Transitions
(Lovas, 2004) and Kuan-Charnley papers):

Glycine: 200-265 GHz
Pyrimidine: 300-337 GHz
Purine: 180-210 GHz

If these initial ranges were met, the spectral diagrams themselves would be compared with
laboratory measurements of the substances spectra.

Scheithauer, 2


RATIONALE
If spectra of Sgt B(2) match spectral signatures for pyrimidine, purine, and glycine it can be
concluded that those compounds exist in the cloud. Spectroscopy is used all the time in
astronomy and is the standard method for deducing the chemical compositions of astronomical
objects. Pyrimidine has been found in meteorites before, indicating its presence somewhere in
space. Also, it has survived simulations of interstellar space (Marlaire 09). Glycine has been
suspected to exist for a long time, but it has never been empirically verified. Purines presence
has also been suspected because of its similarity to pyrimidine.

Scheithauer, 3

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
One of the most poignant questions about human existence has been whether or not other
intelligent species like humans exist, or for that matter, any extraterrestrial life at all. This
question has been the wellspring for the construction of colossal, multi-million dollar telescopes
to trends in foil hats and the creation of government conspiracy theories. It may seem like
humanity has not gotten far in terms of answering this question since it was first asked since the
beginning of civilization. However, since the advent of modern astronomy, countless advances
have been made. More recently, there have been many reports of organic compounds throughout
the interstellar medium or the ISM. If the right interstellar organic molecules are in the right
place at the right time, there may be a possibility of life forming from compounds in space. If
this idea is verified, it could later the way humanity has thought about one of its oldest questions.
This idea may be verified by analyzing objects in the ISM using some of these advances to see if
some of these compounds essential for life do exist in outer space (Ziurys, 2006).
Spectral analysis has been a hallmark of astronomy for almost two centuries. It has
helped astronomers make groundbreaking deductions about the composition of astronomical
objects. It is all based off of a few relatively simple principles. To begin with, an object's spectra
is the range of radiation it emits. All objects emit some sort of radiation. Therefore, most objects
can have their spectra rerecorded and analyzed. The way the radiation that composes an object's
spectra is detected is by the use of a spectroscope. The most simple spectroscope consists of a
prism that splits light into its colors onto a screen. By looking at the screen, you can see all of the
light that came from the spectroscope in a rainbow. This idea of separating out the light in order
to map the spectra is the basis for all spectrometers, although there are numerous techniques for
processing radiation that is not visible light such as ultraviolet or infrared rays (Chaisson 2005).
Scheithauer, 4

There are numerous factors that affect the radiation that certain object emits, but one of
the most important for astronomy is temperature. All objects when heated give off light, such as
a metal turning red in a forge. When atoms are excited with heat, their electrons be promoted to
a higher energy level for a time (Witt, 2001). But when the energy runs out they will slip back
down to a lower energy level and emit some radiation. When these photons are decomposed
using spectrometers, single bands of different types of radiation are detected on a strip. The black
space in between the lines represents what radiation was not emitted. Conversely, when light
passes through atoms, some of it will be absorbed and used to bump the electron up to a higher
energy level. When these absorption lines are captured and analyzed, there is a continuous
spectrum with black lines interspersed (Alexander, 2001). These black lines indicate what light
was absorbed by the atoms:

(Herter, n.d)
The lines in the emission spectra will line up with the lines from the missing lines in the
absorption spectra. Because of the difference in atomic structure of all of the elements,
astronomers can use them to identify element in space. Because of the existence of absorption
Scheithauer, 5

lines, even when astronomers do not know what radiation an object is emitting directly because
of a very low temperature, it can still be predicted by seeing what emission bands are missing
from the absorption continuum. This has proven to be in invaluable tool to astronomers as they
can use spectra to predict the presence of any element in an astronomical object, assuming they
are able to collect a sufficient number of photons (Kulsea, n.d.).
In addition, there are a few other important aspects of spectral analysis that assist
astronomers in uncovering the composition of objects. The first is the rotation of molecules.
When a molecule's rotation is altered, radio waves may be emitted. When bonding is added to
the situation, each compound ends up have a very unique spectral signature. Oftentimes, the
spectra of molecules bear little resemblance to the atoms that actually make them up. However,
many scientists have painstakingly tested and observed the spectra of millions of compounds and
recorded them in databases (Chaisson, 2005).
Another indispensable tool that astronomers use for describing astronomical objects is the
shifting of color due to the Doppler effect. In other words, wavelengths are stretched and
compressed as the object emitting them moves. A common example of the Doppler effect is an
ambulance blaring its siren as it passes another car. The people in the other car will hear the pitch
of the siren rise and fall as the ambulance passes. Astronomers can use this effect to their
advantagewhen objects are far and moving away from us, the light coming off of the objects is
redshifted because the wavelengths are stretched and become redder. When objects are moving
towards us the wavelengths are compressed and become blueror blueshifted (Herter, n.d)


Scheithauer, 6





(SNAP, n.d.)
With all of these spectroscopic methods, astronomers can make numerous deductions
about an astronomical object, from the speed it is travelling through space to the energy it
contains. With all of this information, surprisingly specific conclusions can be made about the
composition of interstellar dust clouds among other objects, especially organic compounds such
as pyrimidine.
Pyrimidine (C
4
H
4
O
2
) is a nucleotide that is essential for life. It consists of a six-
membered nitrogen-containing ring. One of the reasons why pyrimidine is so important is that it
is the basis for the complementary base pairs of the purines for the formation of DNA and RNA
(Wolfram, n.d.). The four-base system for the transfer of hereditary information has been a key
component of life since its beginning. The picture below depicts four molecules based on the
pyrimidine six-membered ring:


(Angstadt, 1997)
Scheithauer, 7

It has been proven that pyrimidine can be created under conditions in outer space.
Pyrimidine has been detected in meteorites in the past (Glavin, 1999). In addition, the team at the
NASA Astrobiology Institute simulated the conditions of interstellar space and found that even
after exposing pyrimidine to temperatures lower than 300F and intense Ultraviolet radiation in a
near vacuum, pyrimidine was able to survive. This is because pyrimidine often freezes inside of
ice ions in space, which can help prevent damage from radiation. (Marlaire 2009). This ice in
turn can then freeze on solid particles of interstellar dust, which can protect the pyrimidine even
more. These conditions not only allow pyrimidine to survive, but can help cause reactions that
can turn pyrimidine into a compound like Uracil. Through a process of UV photo-irradiation in
ice, similar to situations in space, pyrimidine can react to become Uracil (Nuevo 2009). Because
of this, it one would expect pyrimidine to be present in space, most likely in areas with many ice
and dust particles. Interstellar dust clouds provide the perfect environment for pyrimidine to
survive and be irradiated to form Uracil or other important nucleotides. There was an
unsuccessful search in 2003 (lead by Kuan) for pyrimidine spectra, although this was before the
notion that ISD clouds were great sources of organic compounds was popularized. The objects in
the 2003 study were not ISD clouds. By looking at a new kind of astronomical object, there is a
greater chance of detection (Kuan, 2003).
The molecule most associated with pyrimidine is purine. Purines form the basis for the
complementary base pairs to pyrimidine that make the transfer of genetic information possible.
Without these molecules it is clear that carbon based life would be impossible, as there would be
no DNA or RNA or any variation of it. Although the structure of purine resembles pyrimidine,
there are several key differences. With the chemical formula C
5
H
4
N
4
, it forms a sort of double-
ringed structure that is distinct from other nucleic acids (Purine, n.d.). Although purine has not
Scheithauer, 8

been proven to be able to survive the harsh conditions of outer space like pyrimidine, without it
pyrimidine(s) are not much use. This is because of the duality of DNAboth are needed to
construct a successful code. Because of this, a new search for interstellar pyrimidine should also
incorporate a survey for purine.
In addition to purine, perhaps even more so, glycine is also an important molecule in
astrobiological circles. This is because it has not only been found in meteorites like pyrimidine,
but also has been purported to exist in space many times. Glycine (C
2
H
5
NO
2
) is the smallest of
the amino acids, being found in numerous proteins (Glycine, n.d.). It is a sweet tasting compound
that is notable for its lack of chirality, which means that there are fewer guises it can take in
space, making it easier for astronomers to identify. Interestingly, this fact can be very deceiving
as the proof for the presence of glycine in space has never been conclusive. This has resulted in
many astrochemists suspecting and sometimes even assuming its existence, although this has
never really been verified (Kuan, 2003).
Interstellar dust has plagued astronomers and astrophysicists for years. Cosmic dust is
made up of various particles from collisions between objects, debris from supernovae, smashed
planets, among other things. Oftentimes ISD clouds obscure astronomers' view of the sky,
making it difficult to make progress in many fields of study. But recently, interstellar dust has
risen to the forefront of astronomical research. Due to novel new discoveries about their
complexity and wide range of constituents, they turned out to be some of the most influential
objects in the universe. They are the birthplaces of stars of all kinds, centers for the formation of
planets, and contain some of the most complex compounds anywhere in the universe. Due the
abundance of chemical reactions that can take place in an ISD cloud and the vast number of
Scheithauer, 9

elements and compounds present, more than 135 compounds have been verified to exist in space
as of 2006 (Thaddeus, 2006).
One of the very important facets of ISD clouds is their capability of making organic
compounds, and the greatest of these producers is the Sagittarius B(2)molecular cloud. It is very
well known for being one for the most prolific producers of complex organic molecules such as
PAH's (polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons), which have gained lots of media attention lately with
their recent discovery (The University of Hong Kong, 2011). Although Sagittarius B(2) itself is a
nexus of star formation, provides raw materials other for massive star formation regions that
surround it. Sagittarius B(2) is located near the galactic center, making it sometimes challenging
to decipher its spectra due to the many spectral signals that come from that region. Despite this,
the consensus of astrobiologists believe this to be the best area for the formation of compounds
essential for life (Kuan, 2003).
For decades now the origin of life on Earth and whether it exists elsewhere in the
universe has probed the minds of scientist all over the globe. The existence of the necessary
"ingredients" of life in space could be a tremendous help to the answering of these questions. If
all the necessary parts of life can exist in ISD clouds, then there may not need to be a primordial
soup theory of the creation of life, and places where ISD clouds with abundant organic
compounds within them may indicate a higher probability of life in that region. This may also
mean that extraterrestrial life may not only exist, but may be common throughout the universe
(The University of Hong Kong, 2006).


Scheithauer, 10

MATERIALS AND METHODS OF PROCEDURE
First, the resting frequencies used for the initial tests for the study were obtained from Kuan
papers, National Institute of Standards and Technology's Material Measurement Laboratory, and
Wolfram Mathematica. Then, using the VizieR search function at Centre de Donnes
Astronomiques de Strasbourg, the Sgr B2(N) and Sgr B2(M) IRAM 30m line survey was located.
From there, the number of times a "flux" occurred between the ranges of 200-265, 300-337, and
180-210 GHz were counted with the assistance of the Ctrl+F function.

After the initial tests, the data would have been imported to Wolfram Mathematica for a
generation of spectral graph from the raw data of the Sgr B2(N) and Sgr B2(M) IRAM 30m line
survey. However, it was never necessary for this procedure to commence (see Results section).

Scheithauer, 11

VARIABLES
Independent
The parameters for detection; specifically 200-265, 300-337, and 180-210 GHz. The parameters
were altered to fit each of the molecules unique signatures. The other parameters would be the
number and magnitude of matching peaks and troughs on a spectral diagram.

Dependant
The content of the actual emissions (or lack thereof) from Sagittarius B(2) that would indicate
the presence of the molecules.
The graphics used to compare "peaks and troughs" would look very similar to this glycine
spectrum:

(Glycine, n.d.)

Scheithauer, 12

RESULTS


No spectral signatures indicating compounds at the specified resting frequencies were detected.
In theory, after the resting frequencies would have been detected, the data would be subject to
more tests to narrow down the possible producers of the frequency until the desired compounds
were or were not found. However, because the correct resting frequency was not even present,
none of the other tests were necessary.





Compound Number of Spectral Matches to Parameters
Pyrimidine 0
Purine 0
Glycine 0
Scheithauer, 13

CONCLUSIONS
Because the spectral signatures from Sagittarius B(2) were not even in the correct range for the
specific kinds of molecules in the study, it is safe to conclude, with our current data, that these
compounds probably dont exist in Sagittarius B(2). Because Sagittarius B(2) is the most prolific
cloud when it comes to the creation of complex organic molecules, it is also safe to assume that
no other interstellar dust cloud harbors these molecules.
However, there is a chance that the compounds exist in the clouds but in such small numbers that
their spectral information is too minute for detection by modern telescopes.
It is also possible that stronger signals are overpowering the spectra of these organic compounds.
Interstellar organic compounds play a key role in the future of astrobiology and the question of
the origin of life. If these compounds do not exist in Sagittarius B(2), it is unlikely they will exist
in other clouds. This means that the search for extraterrestrial life should look more to other
sources for the creation of complex organic molecules, such as carbon stars, rather than
interstellar dust clouds.
Because there are so many places in space to search for life, knowing that there is lower
probability of life in regions of interstellar dust clouds may prove to be useful information. In
addition, these results could indicate that because of the absence of some keystone organic
compounds life in space may be non-carbon based.

Scheithauer, 14

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