Bennu Asteroid Samples Reveal Ancient Life-Forming Building Blocks, Researchers Say

Recent analyses of samples from the asteroid Bennu, collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, have revealed a wealth of organic compounds and minerals essential for life, providing insight into the conditions of the early solar system. Researchers found ancient brine, rich in salts and minerals never before seen in asteroid samples, suggesting that Bennu could have acted as a 'chemical factory' in space, potentially delivering life’s building blocks to Earth. The samples contained amino acids, components of DNA, and sodium carbonates indicative of past liquid water, hinting at a complex interplay of chemistry that may have fostered the emergence of life. Tim McCoy, a co-author of the studies published in Nature, emphasized that these findings suggest Bennu was a more intricate environment than previously thought. This research supports the theory that asteroids like Bennu played a significant role in shaping the conditions necessary for life on Earth. The findings, stemming from a meticulous analysis of samples returned in September 2023, underscore the importance of further exploration of similar celestial bodies.