Asteroid Uncovers Origin of Life Secrets

13 Oct 2023 12:39 pm GMT+0000 Date Time

Asteroid Contains Evidence of Carbon and Water, According to NASA
A asteroid, recently delivered to Earth, contains evidence of the presence of carbon and water, reported NASA space agency. Less than two weeks ago, the Robotized Osiris-Rex spacecraft brought a sample of breed and dust from asteroid Bennu, a carbon-containing asteroid opened in 1999. A sample taken from an asteroid using a robotic hand of the ship was taken to a special zone in the desert of Utah. Scientists suggest that this sample – the largest of the Earth ever delivered to Earth (approximately 250 grams) – will help to better understand the process of forming the planets and the origin of organics and water, which led to the emergence of life on Earth. Initial studies of the sample showed the presence of a high carbon content and traces of water. According to scientists, these findings may indicate that construction blocks of life on Earth can be found in this breed. Since Benna has not changed for 4.5 billion years, the asteroid carries valuable information and can even contain organic molecules similar to those necessary for the appearance of microbes. “The abundance of carbon-containing material and the presence of minerals containing water is only the top of the space iceberg. These discoveries became possible thanks to the years of cooperation and advanced science. With each revelation from Benn, we are approaching the unraveling of the secrets of our space heritage,” Dante said Dante Lauretta, main researcher of Osiris-Rex from the University of Arizona in Tuson.

Asteroid Contains Evidence of Carbon and Water, According to NASA

A asteroid, recently delivered to Earth, contains evidence of the presence of carbon and water, reported NASA space agency. Less than two weeks ago, the Robotized Osiris-Rex spacecraft brought a sample of breed and dust from asteroid Bennu, a carbon-containing asteroid opened in 1999.

A sample taken from an asteroid using a robotic hand of the ship was taken to a special zone in the desert of Utah. Scientists suggest that this sample – the largest of the Earth ever delivered to Earth (approximately 250 grams) – will help to better understand the process of forming the planets and the origin of organics and water, which led to the emergence of life on Earth.

Initial studies of the sample showed the presence of a high carbon content and traces of water. According to scientists, these findings may indicate that construction blocks of life on Earth can be found in this breed. Since Benna has not changed for 4.5 billion years, the asteroid carries valuable information and can even contain organic molecules similar to those necessary for the appearance of microbes.

“The abundance of carbon-containing material and the presence of minerals containing water is only the top of the space iceberg. These discoveries became possible thanks to the years of cooperation and advanced science. With each revelation from Benn, we are approaching the unraveling of the secrets of our space heritage,” Dante said Dante Lauretta, main researcher of Osiris-Rex from the University of Arizona in Tuson.

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