Posted on 10/26/2015 7:26:54 PM PDT by Fred Nerks
A comet with the nickname Happy Hour leaves a boozy trail equivalent to "500 bottles of wine per second" in its wake as it shoots through space.
Scientists studying the comet, known as Lovejoy, have found its glowing trail is made up of alcohol and sugar.
A study published by a group of scientists from NASA and European agencies observed the unusual comet as it rocketed alongside the sun on January 30, NASA reports.
"You have alcohol and sugar, so that can lead to a 'happy hour' name, but I would not recommend anyone drink this water," team researcher Darek Lis said.
The IRAM 30-meter radio telescope where the scientists researched Lovejoy. (Photo: Nicolas Biver)
The organic compounds released by Happy Hour include ethyl alcohol, which is commonly found in alcoholic beverages, and a sugar called glycoaldehyde.
It is the first time these compounds have been observed in a comet.
Happy Hour is one of the most active comets to be discovered since the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997.
When it was observed near the sun, Lovejoy released about 20 tons of water a second.
© ninemsn 2015
SKOL!
>>Scientists studying the comet, known as Lovejoy, have found its glowing trail is made up of alcohol and sugar. <<
In college, so was mine.
ethyl alcohol... I thought that was a byproduct of yeast (life) fermentation digesting sugar not a naturally occurring substance...?
The Universe wants us to partake. Who are we to argue?
L
Comet!
It will make your teeth turn green
Comet!
It tastes like gasoline
Comet!
It will make you vomit
So get some Comet..and vomit, today.
Wondered where I left my old drinkin truck.
So now the muzzies will boycott space travel?
Party!!!!
In space!!
World Health Organization will not be pleased
I vote that we send settlements there instead of Mars! Lovejoy might be a harsh mistress but won’t leave you dry.
So...my vintage Miller High Life bar sign with the bouncing balls is actually...a planetarium! That’s science, man. I dig it!
Ethyl alcohol, more commonly known as “ethanol” is a small, simple molecule: H3C-CH2OH. Simple molecules can form spontaneously, as long as the proper elements and some energy are present.
yeast digesting sugars is a natural process. Now how did the sugars get there and what kind of fermentation process took place are my questions.
Alcohol abuse!!
Heh, sung to the Bridge on the River Kwai tune, IIRC ;)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-24/sugar-alcohol-on-comet-lovejoy/6881794
Scientists have identified two complex organic molecules, or building blocks of life, on a comet for the first time, shedding new light on the cosmic origins of planets like Earth.
Ethyl alcohol and a simple sugar known as glycolaldehyde were detected in Comet Lovejoy, according to the study in the journal Science Advances.
“These complex organic molecules may be part of the rocky material from which planets are formed,” the study’s authors said.
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