Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery on the ancient asteroid Bennu, revealing a treasure trove of organic molecules and hydrated salts that provide valuable insights into the chemistry of the early solar system. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft retrieved samples from Bennu in 2023, which were then analyzed by researchers.
The study found that Bennu contains 14 out of 20 amino acids essential for life on Earth, as well as all five nucleobases that form DNA and RNA. The asteroid also features around 10,000 nitrogen-bearing chemicals, including ammonia and formaldehyde, which can combine to form complex molecules.
Bennu’s surface shows evidence of evaporated brine minerals, suggesting that the asteroid once contained liquid water and compounds critical to life. This discovery provides further evidence that life’s building blocks formed early in the solar system and could have been transported to other celestial bodies capable of supporting prebiotic chemistry.
The unique characteristics of Bennu’s samples offer a glimpse into the early solar system’s chemical processes. Researchers found that the amino acids in Bennu exhibit no chirality bias, suggesting they formed through non-biological processes. Future studies will aim to resolve this mystery and further understand the origins of life.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has provided unprecedented access to the asteroid’s composition, allowing researchers to study the chemistry of a pristine sample without degradation due to exposure to Earth’s atmosphere. This discovery paves the way for future research on Bennu samples, which will be preserved for decades and studied in more detail.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/30/asteroid_bennu_life