Building Blocks of Life Found in Bennu Asteroid Samples
Scientists analyzing samples brought back from the asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission have discovered organic compounds that are fundamental to the chemistry of life. These building blocks, found preserved in the ancient asteroid material, offer compelling evidence that asteroids may have seeded early Earth with the ingredients necessary for life to emerge.
The findings are prompting researchers to reconsider the origin story of life on our planet. The presence of these complex organic molecules in pristine asteroid material — uncontaminated by Earth's environment — strengthens the hypothesis that the raw materials for biology were delivered from space during the heavy bombardment period billions of years ago. This discovery represents one of the most significant results from the OSIRIS-REx mission and opens new avenues for understanding how life began.
The findings are prompting researchers to reconsider the origin story of life on our planet. The presence of these complex organic molecules in pristine asteroid material — uncontaminated by Earth's environment — strengthens the hypothesis that the raw materials for biology were delivered from space during the heavy bombardment period billions of years ago. This discovery represents one of the most significant results from the OSIRIS-REx mission and opens new avenues for understanding how life began.