Formation and delivery of complex organic molecules to the Solar System and early Earth

TL;DR

This paper reviews how complex organic molecules are formed in late stellar evolution and their potential transfer to the Solar System and early Earth, highlighting the connection between stellar synthesis and planetary organics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, detection, and potential transfer pathways of complex organic molecules from stars to the Solar System.

Findings

Over 80 gas-phase molecules detected in stellar environments

Complex organics in stars may be related to those in meteorites and comets

Synthesis occurs rapidly in low-density stellar environments

Abstract

The late stages of stellar evolution from asymptotic giant branch stars to planetary nebulae are now known to be an active phase of molecular synthesis. Over 80 gas-phase molecules have been detected through rotational transitions in the mm/submm region. Infrared spectroscopy has also detected inorganic minerals, fullerenes, and organic solids. The synthesis of these molecules and solids take place over very low density ($<10^6$ cm$^{-3}$) and short ($\sim10^3$ yr) time scales. The complex organics are observed to have mixed aromatic/aliphatic structures and may be related to the complex organics found in meteorites, comets, interplanetary dust particles, and planetary satellites. The possible links between stellar and solar system organics is discussed.