NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has revealed significant findings regarding asteroid Bennu, suggesting the early solar system had the necessary conditions for life. While the samples do not show evidence of existing life, they contained 14 amino acids and five nucleobases, which are foundational to life on Earth. High levels of ammonia and formaldehyde found in the samples indicate potential for complex molecules. Additionally, the analysis spoke of a brine environment, hinting at the historical presence of liquid water. This evidence supports the broader picture of a solar system with the potential for life.
Data from OSIRIS-REx adds major brushstrokes to a picture of a solar system teeming with the potential for life. Why we, so far, only see life on Earth and not elsewhere, that's the truly tantalizing question.
The findings do not show evidence for life itself, but they do suggest the conditions necessary for the emergence of life were widespread across the early solar system, increasing the odds life could have formed on other planets and moons.
The samples contained 14 amino acids and five nucleobases also found in life forms on Earth, indicating the potential chemical precursors for life.
The OSIRIS-REx mission used fascinating tech to autonomously acquire rocks and dust from an asteroid called Bennu, which reflects solar system conditions from 4.5 billion years ago.
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