NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has made a groundbreaking discovery by analyzing samples collected from a near-Earth asteroid, Bennu. The research team found that the asteroid contained key chemical building blocks of life, including amino acids and DNA components, as well as salts and minerals crucial to life.
“This is exciting because it suggests that asteroids like Bennu acted like giant chemical factories in space and could have delivered raw ingredients for life to Earth and other bodies in our solar system,” said Dr. Daniel P. Glavin, senior scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
The findings shed light on the origins of life and suggest that asteroids may play a significant role in delivering essential building blocks to planets. The OSIRIS-REx mission is one of NASA’s boldest feats yet, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to exploring the mysteries of space.
Meanwhile, scientists have made other intriguing discoveries, including the movement of coral species and the creation of elaborate beaded outfits worn by women in prehistoric Spain. A recent SpaceX launch incident has raised questions about the company’s approach to developing its Starship program.
In addition, a rare sighting of the Mount Lyell shrew, a previously unknown mammal species in California, was captured on camera by wildlife photographers. The discovery highlights the importance of exploring and documenting unique species.
These discoveries and more are featured in this edition of Wonder Theory, where scientists and researchers share their latest findings and insights into the wonders of space and our world.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/01/science/bennu-asteroid-sample-osiris-rex-science-newsletter-wt/index.html