Scientists have long studied the possibility of there being life beyond Earth, or how life was created on Earth. A study made by researchers found that asteroids may have been responsible for the creation of life on both Earth and even on Mars.
Space agencies such as NASA are setting their sights on Mars exploration, preparing missions to explore the red planet over the next few years or within the decade. Researchers from Tohoku University, Osaka University, the National Institute for Materials Science, and the Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research conducted a study involving amino acids - one of the essential elements to create life - that are present on meteorites, to see how it would react when coming into contact with the ocean.
When amino acids meet the Earth’s atmosphere - which already has elements of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, and iron - the researchers found that this interaction would produce elements such as glycine and alanine. These elements would act as catalysts towards biological reactions.
According to Yoshihiro Furukawa of Tohoku University, who is also the study’s co-author, “The finding of amino acid formation from carbon dioxide and molecular nitrogen demonstrates the importance in making life’s building blocks from these ubiquitous compounds.”
With this in mind, the theory could also apply to Mars as well. The red planet was believed to have oceans a long time ago but eventually dried out. In a statement from the study, the Martian atmosphere likely had carbon dioxide and nitrogen at the time when the red planet’s oceans once existed.
Meanwhile, Brian May, the guitarist of Queen and astrophysicist, will be collaborating with scientists from the European Space Agency or ESA to study certain asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu to see if they had the same origin. In the case of asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, their initial findings following the probes of both NASA’s Osiris-REx spacecraft on Bennu and Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft on Ryugu saw that the two rocks have similar densities and shapes but are different in terms of water density.
Thus, the shape and water density of an asteroid could potentially provide more insight into where it came from, such is the case with Bennu and Ryugu.


Trump and Merck KGaA Partner to Slash IVF Drug Costs and Expand Fertility Coverage
NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay
Is space worth the cost? Accounting experts say its value can’t be found in spreadsheets
Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research
Trump Administration to Launch Autism Initiatives Targeting Acetaminophen Use and New Treatment Options
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback
FDA Adds Fatal Risk Warning to J&J and Legend Biotech’s Carvykti Cancer Therapy
Eli Lilly’s Inluriyo Gains FDA Approval for Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Surges on U.S. Patent Win for Rare Disorder Drug
Neuralink Expands Brain Implant Trials with 12 Global Patients
NASA Faces Major Workforce Reduction as 20% of Employees Prepare to Leave
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Achieves Breakthrough Success With First NASA Mission
Astronomers have discovered another puzzling interstellar object − this third one is big, bright and fast
SpaceX’s Starship Completes 11th Test Flight, Paving Way for Moon and Mars Missions 



