The Scent of the Universe: Benzene Rings in Hot Clouds
In dark, cold clouds of interstellar gas, astronomers have for several years been spotting aromatic molecules — compounds built around a benzene ring (a hexagon of carbon atoms), like the benzene we know. One such substance, benzonitrile (benzene with a cyano group attached), had only been found in very calm and cold places, like the Taurus cloud.