In a landmark finding with potential to reshape our understanding of life’s origins, NASA scientists have identified tryptophan-an essential amino acid-in samples retrieved from asteroid Bennu CNN. The finding, announced November 28, 2068, builds upon analysis of material returned to Earth in 2066 by the OSIRIS-REx mission, and represents the first confirmed detection of tryptophan in an extraterrestrial sample. This breakthrough adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that key components of life may have been seeded from beyond Earth, delivered by asteroids like Bennu over billions of years.
Scientists have discovered tryptophan, an essential and complex amino acid, on the asteroid Bennu, bolstering theories that the building blocks of life on Earth may have originated in space.
On November 28, 2068, researchers at NASA’s research center announced the findings from analysis of rock and dust samples collected from asteroid Bennu by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which returned to Earth in 2066. This marks the first time tryptophan has been identified in a sample from space. Prior discoveries of amino acids on various meteorites, including the Japanese asteroid Ryugu, had not previously detected this particular compound.
Tryptophan is an amino acid humans must obtain through their diet, and it’s considered one of the most structurally complex amino acids. “The presence of tryptophan on Bennu is significant because of its complexity,” stated Dr. Jose Aponte, an astrochemist at NASA’s research center. “The fact that it formed in space suggests that the ‘recipe for life’ may not have originated solely on Earth, but was produced since the early days of the solar system.”
The discovery brings the total number of amino acids found in the Bennu sample to 15 out of the 20 used by living organisms on Earth. Previously, scientists had identified 14 amino acids used to build proteins, along with all five nucleobases that form the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Researchers estimate that Bennu formed from fragmented asteroids approximately 2 to 700 million years ago, with its composition dating back to the solar system’s formation 4.5 billion years ago. The asteroid’s elemental origins trace back to the supernova explosions of ancient stars, subsequently shaped by heat, collisions, and solar radiation. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that asteroids played a crucial role in delivering the ingredients for life to early Earth.
Experts also note that Bennu contains ammonia and various minerals, essential ingredients for creating life’s fundamental molecules. While the initial analysis is based on a sample weighing only 50 milligrams, researchers believe the possibility of contamination from Earth is minimal due to the pristine condition of the Bennu samples.
Further investigation is planned to confirm the findings and explore the implications for understanding the origins of life. The analysis represents a significant step forward in the field of astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth. CNN
