Scientists from the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) shared the discovery. They examined a sample taken from the Itokawa asteroid by the Hayabusa probe in 2010. One of the particles brought to Earth turned out to be very interesting.
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A sensational discovery in space. Traces of life on an asteroid
Stoney asteroids are made of flint and a mixture of iron and nickel. It is from them that most of the Earth’s meteorites originate. Consequently, the realization that they may contain the basic ingredients necessary for life on our planet is a significant step forward in understanding how living conditions can arise.
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Until now, most of the research on organic materials has been focused on type C asteroids, which are rich in carbon. This time, however, an in-depth analysis of one of the Itokawa particles with a diameter of 30 micrometers was undertaken. Scientists have dubbed it “Amazon”.
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According to the researchers, the extreme conditions to which the asteroid was exposed led to the formation of water on its surface. One thousandth of a centimeter wide traces of organic matter were detected in the analyzed particle. The process of creating water on an asteroid is similar to that which took place on Earth. This may help to better understand the first forms of Earth’s biochemical reactions.
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These findings are really exciting as they reveal complex details of the asteroid’s history and how its evolutionary path is so similar to that of early Earth, said Queenie Chan, who studies asteroid from Royal Holloway University in London.
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The research explained how the organic matter developed on the studied asteroid. It was also confirmed for the first time that the processes necessary for the emergence of life occur not only on carbon-rich asteroids.
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How did life come about on Earth? Scientists will compare samples from asteroids
Late last year, the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa 2 dropped a sample of the Type C asteroid Ryugu to Earth. A comparison of recently imported samples with those provided by the previous probe will provide even more insight into the evolution of organic chemistry in space. However, many years of research are needed to fully explain the mystery of life on Earth.
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