By analyzing invisible electromagnetic energy coming to us from objects in space, astronomers are able to describe processes in the universe we cannot see. In The Classroom , a publication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific .
Molecular clouds are vast areas of concentrated dust and gases between the stars.
The deepest parts may be as cold as 20 K and they may extend more than 150 light years in space. About 400 giant molecular clouds have been charted. These can be found in the spiral arms of the Milky Way Galaxy. Over 50 molecules have been identified in these massive incubators of stars. A large percent of these molecules are organic in nature and are found in living organisms on Earth.