Knowledge Bank

The study of amino acids in interstellar space is of great interest in connection with the origin of life. $\alpha$-Alanine is the simplest amino acid that have a chiral carbon atom. Thus, the detection of $\alpha$-alanine in interstellar space is essential to discuss the origin of the homo-chirality of natural amino acids in proteins. In order to search for $\alpha$-alanine in interstellar space, we have observed rotational spectrum of $\alpha$-alanine in the 83-99 GHz and 167-177 GHz regions by using a continuous molecular beam equipment. By combining previous data by Godfrey et al.} \textbf{115}, 9687, (1993).} and Blanco et al.} \textbf{126}, 11675 (2004).}, we obtained precise molecular constants that predict transitions in the 100 GHz region with an uncertainty of only 50 kHz. Based on the laboratory spectroscopy, we have searched for $\alpha$-Alanine in Orion-KL by using the 45 m Nobeyama Radio Telescope. The results will be discussed.