Meteorites Hold Over 66,000 Complex Organic Compounds, Study Finds

Researchers at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University analyzed the Murchison and Aguas Zarcas meteorites, identifying over 66,000 and 91,000 unique molecular formulas respectively. A 21-Tesla mass spectrometer and atomic force microscope revealed the structures of these compounds, including iron- and magnesium-bearing organometallics.

• Over 66,000 molecular formulas found in Murchison, over 91,000 in Aguas Zarcas
• Masses reach 1,000 atomic mass units, with up to 70 carbon and 20 oxygen atoms
• Organometallic compounds with carbon chains exceeding 35 atoms were detected
• Less than 1% of formulas overlapped between Murchison's methanol and toluene extracts