Research published this month in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science indicates that a sample from the asteroid Ryugubrought to Earth by the Japanese mission Hayabusa 2, quickly colonized by terrestrial bacteria when they reached the planet. The discovery highlights how amazing these are microorganisms change and expand in external materials, even in adverse conditions at first.
Launched in 2014 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft landed on the estimated 900-meter asteroid in 2018 to collect samples. In December 2020the capsule containing the material was delivered to Earth, and part of it was analyzed by a team led by PhD in Geological Sciences Matthew Genge, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London.
The researchers identified rod-shaped structures and filaments on the surface of the rock, typical features of filamentous microorganisms. The exact type of bacteria, however, has not been identified. “They were probably bacteria like Bacillus, which are very common filamentous microorganisms, especially in soil and rocks,” Genge said in an interview with the website. Space.com.
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Before handling the sample, the team performed X-ray computed tomography and found no signs of life. However, a week after being exposed to the Earth’s atmosphere, 11 microorganisms were found on the surface of the rock. Within days, that number increased to 147, confirming that microbes settled in the material after it arrived on the planet.
In other words: despite expectations about the possibility of life outside the earth, the analysis concluded that the microorganisms were from here. According to Genge, colonization only occurred after the rock was exposed to the terrestrial environment, which rules out the hypothesis that microbes were present on the asteroid at the time of its accumulation.
The team highlights that soil microorganisms have a high capacity to survive and adapt in extraterrestrial materials, which raises concerns about contamination of space environments by exploration missions. On planets like a Martewhere the search for life is a scientific priority, local organic fertilizers could be the basis for the multiplication of organisms taken from Earth.
Although space agencies follow strict planetary protection protocols to minimize these risks, Genge warns that contamination remains a major challenge. It emphasizes the importance of carefully evaluating future samples brought to Earth before interpreting signs of life as evidence. external source. “Even with all precautions, soil contamination is always a possibility. ”
The team continues to study other samples from the asteroid Ryugu, with the hope that the next samples will be free of contamination to provide more reliable data about it.
2024-11-28 14:13:00
#asteroid #sample #contaminated #bacteria #Earth
Assuming the DNA analysis confirms the bacteria are indeed terrestrial in origin, does this finding cast doubt on the possibility of discovering indigenous life on Ryugu or other asteroids?
## Earth Germs Hitch a Ride on Asteroid Ryugu Sample
In a fascinating development, researchers have found evidence that terrestrial bacteria rapidly colonized a sample from asteroid Ryugu brought back to Earth by the Japanese Hayabusa 2 mission. This discovery, published in the journal *Meteoritics & Planetary Science*, sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of microorganisms and their ability to colonize even seemingly inhospitable materials.
Launched in 2014 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft successfully landed on the 900-meter wide asteroid Ryugu in 2018 and collected precious samples.
In December 2020, the sample capsule returned to Earth, with a portion being sent to a team led by Dr. Matthew Genge, a senior lecturer in Geological Sciences at Imperial College London.
The team employed X-ray computed tomography before handling the sample and found no initial signs of life. However, within a week of exposure to Earth’s atmosphere, 11 microorganisms were detected on the rock’s surface. This number rapidly jumped to 147 within days, confirming that the microbes had colonized the material after its arrival on Earth.
While the exact type of bacteria remains unidentified, Dr. Genge believes they resemble common Bacillus species often found in soil and rocks.
**Implications for Planetary Protection and the Search for Life:**
This surprising finding has significant implications for planetary protection protocols. It emphasizes the importance of stringent sterilization procedures for spacecraft and sample handling to avoid contamination of celestial bodies with terrestrial life.
Moreover, while the discovery doesn’t prove the existence of life on Ryugu, it highlights the ability of Earth microorganisms to thrive on extraterrestrial materials. This underscores the challenges of identifying truly alien life and the need for robust scientific methods to distinguish between indigenous and contaminating organisms in future space exploration endeavors.
**Further Research:**
Dr. Genge and his team are continuing to study the Ryugu sample, encompassing genetic analysis to conclusively identify the specific bacteria involved and their origins. This research will provide valuable insights into the adaptability of life and contribute to our understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth.
