In 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft brought samples from the asteroid Bennu back to Earth, revealing organic molecules and building blocks of life. The findings suggest that asteroids crashing into Earth could have delivered the ingredients for life. The samples included thousands of organic compounds, 14 amino acids used on Earth, and nucleobases found in DNA and RNA. The samples were pristine, not exposed to Earth’s conditions, enhancing confidence in the results.
Surprisingly, high concentrations of ammonia were found, essential for biological processes. Traces of minerals from briny mixtures left behind by evaporated water were discovered on Bennu. These complex mixtures resemble those found in dry lakebeds on Earth. The studies of Bennu samples are the first in-depth analyses and revealed unique compositions not seen in other extraterrestrial samples.
While the Bennu samples have provided valuable insight, more research is needed to understand why life emerged on Earth but not on other planets or moons like Bennu. This raises questions about what Earth had that Bennu did not have to support life. The results of this study could impact astrobiologists’ understanding of how life forms in the universe. Overall, the samples from Bennu have expanded our knowledge of the early solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.
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