In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found organic compounds and minerals crucial for life in samples collected from the asteroid Bennu. These findings add weight to the idea that asteroids might have delivered the building blocks of life to Earth billions of years ago.

The samples, gathered by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, revealed water, carbon, nitrogen, and organic matter. But what’s even more exciting is the detection of amino acids and components found in DNA—key ingredients for life as we know it. Researchers say Bennu likely acted like a “giant chemical factory” in space, producing the raw materials that could have kickstarted life on Earth and other planets.

The asteroid also contained salts and minerals vital for life, some of which had never been seen in other asteroid samples. These discoveries highlight the role of ancient water in shaping Bennu’s chemical makeup. Experts believe water flowed beneath the surface of Bennu’s parent asteroid, creating a unique environment where these compounds could form.

What’s remarkable is that the samples are pristine, untouched by Earth’s atmosphere or contamination. This gives scientists confidence that the organic materials originated in space, not on Earth.

One intriguing mystery is the mix of amino acids found in the samples. On Earth, life uses only one “handedness” of amino acids, but Bennu contains both. This raises questions about why life on Earth evolved to prefer one type over the other.

These findings suggest that the ingredients for life could have been widespread in the early solar system, delivered by asteroids like Bennu. But why didn’t life form on Bennu itself? Researchers think the asteroid might not have had enough time for complex chemistry to occur before its water evaporated.

This discovery is just the beginning. Future missions to other asteroids and celestial bodies could reveal more about how life began—not just on Earth, but possibly elsewhere in the universe. As scientists continue to study Bennu’s samples, we’re getting closer to understanding the origins of life itself.