RuBisCo Stars
Encyclopedia
RuBisCo Stars is an interstellar radio message sent from the Arecibo
radio telescope on November 7, 2009. The message contained the genetic code for the RuBisCO
protein used by terrestrial plants to perform photosynthesis. It was sent to three nearby stars (GJ 83.1
, Teegarden’s star
, and Kappa1 Ceti
).
Arecibo Observatory
The Arecibo Observatory is a radio telescope near the city of Arecibo in Puerto Rico. It is operated by SRI International under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation...
radio telescope on November 7, 2009. The message contained the genetic code for the RuBisCO
RuBisCO
Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase, commonly known by the shorter name RuBisCO, is an enzyme involved in the first major step of carbon fixation, a process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is converted by plants to energy-rich molecules such as glucose. RuBisCo is an abbreviation...
protein used by terrestrial plants to perform photosynthesis. It was sent to three nearby stars (GJ 83.1
TZ Arietis
TZ Arietis is a red dwarf star in the constellation Aries. It is too faint to be seen by the naked eye, although it lies relatively close to our Sun at a distance of about 14.5 light years. It is a flare star, which means it can suddenly increase in brightness for short periods of time.-External...
, Teegarden’s star
Teegarden's star
Teegarden's Star, also known as SO J025300.5+165258, is an M-type red dwarf star or brown dwarf in the constellation Aries, located about 12 light years from the Solar System. Despite its proximity to Earth it is a dim magnitude 15 and can only be seen through large telescopes. This star was found...
, and Kappa1 Ceti
Kappa1 Ceti
Kappa1 Ceti is a yellow dwarf star approximately 30 light-years away in the constellation of Cetus. The star was discovered to have a rapid rotation, roughly once every nine days. Though there are no extrasolar planets confirmed to be orbiting the star, Kappa1 Ceti is considered a good candidate...
).