Organic matter in space: from star dust to the Solar

Abstract Organic compounds of high degree of complex-ity are now known to be widespread in the Universe, rang-ing from objects in our Solar System to distant galaxies. Through the techniques of millimeter-wave spectroscopy, over 140 molecules have been identified through their rota-tional transitions. Space infrared spectroscopy has detected the stretching and bending modes of compounds with aro-matic and aliphatic structures. Analyses of samples of me-teorites, comets, asteroids, and interplanetary dust also re-vealed a rich content of organic substances, some of which could be of extra-solar origin. We review the current state of understanding of the origin, evolution, nature, and distribu-tion of organic matter in space. Also discussed are a num-ber of unexplained astronomical phenomena whose origins could be traced to organic carriers