Scientists have discovered cyanocoronene, the largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) ever found in space. This complex molecule, composed of seven interconnected benzene rings and a cyano group, was detected in the cold, dark molecular cloud TMC-1.
The discovery was made using the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), located in West Virginia. The GBT's sensitivity allowed researchers to observe the unique spectral lines of cyanocoronene, confirming its presence with high confidence.
This finding suggests that larger, more complex organic molecules may be common in the cosmos. PAHs are crucial in the chemistry that leads to star and planet formation, implying complex organic chemistry occurs before these formations, potentially seeding new systems with life's building blocks. The research was presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting in June 2025 and published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.