Aliens have always been a central theme in the imaginations of science fiction lovers and scientists alike, but NASA may have actually found evidence of life outside of Earth, and not on a planet, but rather on an asteroid. These ancient cosmic structures have been drifting through the universe for millions of years, dictating the creation of planets like Earth, acting as one of the reasons that life is possible. As this theory is being applied to other discoveries and studies, researchers are focusing their attention on an asteroid that is close to our planet.
Asteroids may have the essence of life: By-product of destruction is the result
In the early stages of Earth’s development, it is believed that our planet was the target of multiple asteroid impacts, as well as other cosmic structures, such as leftovers from moons and planets – including Mars – which were incorporated into Earth’s gravitational field. And water did not magically form, covering over 70% of Earth’s surface: it was brought to our planet during these collisions that formed the interior part of the atmosphere, interior pockets of water, and finally, the ocean.
Now, as the fundamental ingredient for life is not native to our planet, and we are the only known civilization and life forms in the entire universe, why couldn’t this happen somewhere else with similar conditions? That’s what NASA is thinking about after discovering an asteroid carrying vital molecules for life proliferation inside its structure – and it’s probably aiming to hit another planet soon.
NASA retrieved and studied samples from an asteroid close to Earth
NASA scientists have shared new revelations unearthed from the study of samples collected from the asteroid Bennu, showing the presence of organic molecules linked to the building blocks of life. These results give us a better idea of the history of asteroids and suggest that the ingredients for life may exist beyond Earth.
This represents one of the largest sample collections from an object beyond the Moon, far larger than previous asteroid missions conducted by Japan, which brought back smaller amounts. The samples also show evidence of past saltwater, which may have created an environment where these organic compounds could interact and combine. While no signs of life itself were found, the results show that conditions suitable for life were present in the early Solar System.
Chances of life outside Earth increase: It could have happened elsewhere
NASA says this raises the possibility that life could have developed elsewhere under similar circumstances. Unlike earlier studies, where contamination could affect results, the molecules from Bennu appear to be authentic extraterrestrial materials formed under ancient cosmic conditions, according to researchers, including Daniel Glavin from NASA.
The presence of amino acids in the samples provides insight, but also makes us wonder. On Earth, life primarily uses left-handed amino acids, while Bennu shows a roughly equal mix of left- and right-handed forms. How Earth came to favor one form remains unclear. These organic molecules also prompt questions about whether objects like Bennu contributed to the emergence of life on our planet.
Life’s essence was delivered, and not created on Earth: More to come in the future
Some NASA researchers suggest that asteroid impacts may have delivered key ingredients to Earth. Future missions aimed at bodies with subsurface water, such as the dwarf planet Ceres or icy moons like Europa and Enceladus, will continue to investigate these questions. With sixty laboratories worldwide analyzing Bennu’s samples, scientists are exploring many new paths. The findings so far are just the beginning, offering a clearer view of the early Solar System and the materials that may have shaped the origins of life.