星际生命前分子的回顾与展望

In recent years, astronomical research on interstellar molecules has made remarkable progress. To date, approximately 330 molecular and ionic species have been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), covering a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds. Among these, a subset known as interstellar prebiotic molecules has garnered increasing attention due to their potential relevance to the origin of life. Molecules such as aminoacetonitrile (H₂NCH₂CN), hydroxylamine (NH₂OH), and ethanolamine (HOCH₂CH₂NH₂) are considered key intermediates in the formation of biomolecules like amino acids and nucleobases. Their detection suggests that the complex organic chemistry required for life’s building blocks may begin during the early phases of star and planet formation. These prebiotic species have been observed in various astrophysical environments, including hot molecular cores, warm corinos, dark clouds, and protostellar systems. This progress owes much to the capabilities of advanced radio and submillimeter telescopes, such as the IRAM 30 m telescope, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). High-resolution spectral surveys carried out by these instruments have revealed a vast number of molecular spectral lines, though many remain unidentified. With the expansion of large-scale, high-sensitivity surveys, the volume of spectral data has grown exponentially, creating significant challenges in spectral line identification. Traditional methods, which rely on manual comparison with laboratory spectroscopy databases, are increasingly inadequate. As a result, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for automated spectral line identification and classification. These technologies are accelerating the discovery of new interstellar molecules, including prebiotic species, and enabling more effective management and interpretation of the growing datasets. Despite significant observational advances, theoretical modeling of prebiotic molecules remains underdeveloped. Current chemical models often focus on isolated pathways or specific physical environments, lacking a systematic framework. Key uncertainties persist regarding the relative contributions of gas-phase versus grain-surface reactions, the impact of energetic processes like UV radiation and cosmic rays, and the conditions that most favor complex molecule formation. This paper reviews the current state of both observational and theoretical research on interstellar prebiotic molecules, emphasizing the interplay between modern telescope capabilities, data analysis tools, and chemical modeling. We highlight the main challenges that limit a full understanding of these molecules’ interstellar chemistry and suggest that future progress will depend on interdisciplinary efforts—combining next-generation observational facilities, laboratory simulations, and AI-driven chemical models. Such developments are essential to advancing our understanding of how life’s molecular precursors may arise and evolve in space.