Washington: The rocky object called Bennu is classified as a near-Earth asteroid, currently making its closest approach to Earth every six years at about 186,000 miles (299,000 km) away. It might come even closer in the future, with scientists estimating a one-in-2,700 chance of a collision with Earth in September 2182. So what would happen … Read more
A sample from asteroid Bennu, delivered to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in 2023, has revealed a collection of molecules and minerals that play a fundamental role in biological processes. Organic compounds such as amino acids, nucleobases, and ammonia, along with minerals formed in saltwater, have been identified. The findings suggest that the necessary conditions … Read more
There are several planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system, but only Earth is known to support life. Now, scientists have found the “basic building blocks” of life in the samples of the asteroid Bennu. The asteroid Bennu contains a lot of organic molecules, including many essential building blocks of life, according … Read more