Asteroid Bennu continues to provide new scientific evidence that brings researchers closer to answering the most important questions related to the formation of the early solar system and the origin of life. Scientists have discovered important things in the samples they returned to EarthOSIRIS-RExNASA, types ofSugarsAnd materialsResin-likeIn addition toRare stardust.

Sugars are essential components of terrestrial biology. It is formedRiboseA major part of ribonucleic acid (RNA).GlucoseThe primary energy source for cells. This represents the first time that glucose has been found in extraterrestrial materials. The presence of ribose, along with amino acids, phosphates and previously discovered nitrogenous bases, contributes to the formation of an almost complete set of components of the molecule.RNAThis reinforces the hypothesis that the first building blocks of life were available in the early stages of the solar system.

The researchers also found a resin-like substance rich in nitrogen and oxygen, discovered for the first time in astronomical materials. It turns out that this ancient polymeric structure was formed before the asteroid was exposed to high temperatures, and before it turned into a watery environment, and may have played a role in the formation of complex organic molecules.

The analyzes also showed that the asteroid Bennu is rich in…Pre-solar dust– It is the remains of stars that exploded before the sun itself was formed. The samples contain six times supernova dust than has been found in any known astronomical material to date, providing clear evidence of the environment in which Bennu formed and the materials that have maintained their properties despite subsequent geological changes.

Source: science.mail.ru