Asteroid Ryugu contains an essential molecule for life

The information emerged after the analysis of molecules found by the Japanese probe Hayabusa2 on the asteroid Ryugu in 2018.

The discovery of RNA molecules, essential for life, on the asteroid Ryugu would be a unique finding in the search for life elsewhere in the universe, a discovery that is causing controversy and conversation worldwide.

According to the journal Nature, RNA (ribonucleic acid, formed by a chain of nucleotides) found on the asteroid Ryugu is an essential part of the possibility of life on Earth and forms a series of molecules that make it possible.

This discovery was made after the Japanese probe Hayabusa2 scraped about 5.4 grams of the surface of the asteroid Ryugu in 2018 after a long expedition from which samples were taken and returned to Earth for analysis, where traces of these molecules were found.

There are many molecules essential for life, but one of the most important ones is water. Water is essential for all known forms of life on Earth, and it is likely to be so on other planets and moons as well.

In addition to water, there are other organic molecules that are important for life, such as amino acids, sugars, and nucleic acids. These molecules are considered the building blocks of life, as they are the precursors for living organisms.

With the essential molecule for life found on the asteroid Ryugu, life may have started in other places in the universe in a similar way as it did on Earth.

Asteroid Ryugu and a range of possibilities.

It could also indicate that there are places in the universe where conditions are conducive to life, which would increase the chances of finding life on other planets and moons.

However, it is important to note that finding an essential molecule for life on an asteroid does not necessarily mean that there is life on the asteroid or in its surroundings.

Further research would be needed to determine whether the conditions are suitable for life and whether there is evidence of past or present life, and this is precisely what this new discussion among experts is focusing on.

Furthermore, it is possible that essential molecules for life were formed on Asteroid Ryugu through non-biological processes, such as chemical reactions in space or on the surface of the asteroid. In this case, even though the essential molecule for life is present, there would be no evidence of life on the asteroid.

Moreover, if the origin of these discoveries on Asteroid Ryugu is confirmed, it would help scientists identify potential places to search for life on other planets and moons, and develop new theories about how life may have started on Earth and elsewhere.

To confirm the discovery of an essential molecule for life in space such as on Asteroid Ryugu, detailed chemical and spectroscopic analysis of the collected samples from the asteroid would be required to determine the chemical composition of the molecule, its structure, and how it was formed.

Furthermore, it would be important to determine the location and conditions in which the molecule was found. For example, if it is found on the surface of the asteroid, it could indicate that it was formed through chemical processes in space.

If it is found inside the asteroid, it could indicate that it was formed through biological or geological processes. However, further research would be needed to determine whether the molecule is a precursor for life and whether there is evidence of past or present life on the asteroid.

Moreover, the detection of an essential molecule for life on an asteroid could have significant implications for the search for life on other celestial bodies, such as planets and moons.

If a similar molecule is found on another celestial body, it could indicate that the conditions on that body are conducive to life and that life may have developed there. This could involve collecting samples and conducting detailed chemical and spectroscopic analysis to determine the composition of the samples.

What do you think this discovery on Asteroid Ryugu means?

Source: National Geographic/Reporte Índigo.