EXPERTS have uncovered the essential ingredients needed to support life on a rock 200million miles away, in the biggest hint yet that we may not be alone. Japan’s space agency made the huge discovery after it nabbed soil samples from an asteroid called Ryugu. The rocky dirt hid more than 20 different amino acids which […]
EXPERTS have uncovered the essential ingredients needed to support life on a rock 200million miles away, in the biggest hint yet that we may not be alone.
Japan’s space agency made the huge discovery after it nabbed soil samples from an asteroid called Ryugu.
The rocky dirt hid more than 20 different amino acids which are the building blocks of life.
This is particularly significant because it’s the first time they’ve been found anywhere outside of Earth.
The only other time scientists have found anything like it is from meteorites that have crashed down.
It’s all part of a major mission to finally uncover the truth about the origins of the universe and life on Earth as we know it.
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The breakthrough could mean that various amino acids exist on other objects in space as well.
Japan chose the Ryugu asteroid because it is thought to be rich with material from 4.6billion years ago when our solar system was created.
Much of the stuff can’t be found here on Earth, Nikkei reports.
The amino acids are considered a huge sign because they are the substances that make proteins, which living things produce.
Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) sent a probe called Hayabusa2 to the asteroid in December 2014.
It surveyed the 435m rock for about a year and half, before scooping up pieces and blasting them back to Earth for experts to study.
Scientists eagerly received the samples in December 2020 and have only revealed extensive detail about their findings now.
Given the success, Hayabusa2’s mission has since been extended to 2031 and will visit other asteroids in hope of unlocking more secrets about our universe.
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Nasa also wants in on the action, with a similar mission to asteroid Bennu.
Its OSIRIS-REx probe has already collected samples and is expected to return to Earth with them sometime next year.
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