Home / Science / Asteroid Bennu Yields Life's Building Blocks
Asteroid Bennu Yields Life's Building Blocks
5 Dec
Summary
- Bennu asteroid samples contain sugars vital for life, like ribose and glucose.
- Scientists discovered ancient supernova dust predating our solar system.
- A unique, pliable 'space gum' material was found on the asteroid's surface.
Recent analysis of samples from the asteroid Bennu has provided significant insights into the potential origins of life in our solar system. These extraterrestrial materials, returned to Earth by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in September 2023, have unveiled the presence of sugars like ribose and glucose. These are fundamental to DNA, RNA, and energy for life as we know it, suggesting that key components for life were widespread in the early solar system.
Further investigations have uncovered more astonishing findings within the Bennu samples. Scientists identified presolar grains, remnants of supernova explosions that occurred before our solar system even formed, offering a glimpse into the universe's ancient past. Perhaps most intriguing is the discovery of a pliable, gum-like substance, which NASA has dubbed 'space gum.' This material, rich in nitrogen and oxygen, is believed to have formed during the early stages of solar system development.
These discoveries, detailed in recent scientific publications, are pivotal for understanding how life may have emerged not only on Earth but potentially elsewhere. The pristine samples from Bennu continue to serve as a vital resource for researchers investigating the conditions necessary for abiogenesis and the prevalence of life beyond our planet, fueling future space exploration and astrobiological research.
