Radio astronomy analysis picks benzonitrile signal out of the noise
The aromatic molecule benzonitrile has been detected in the Taurus Molecular Cloud – a region of interstellar space known for containing complex molecules – using radio telescopes. Aromatic molecules are thought to be widely distributed throughout the universe, responsible for as-yet unidentified infrared bands – emissions from numerous cosmic sources. This, however, is the first time a specific aromatic molecule has been detected using radio spectroscopy.