Organic Compounds in Asteroids Formed in Cold Space, Challenging Previous Assumptions

Discovery of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite samples offers new insights into the origins of life and the chemistry of celestial bodies.

• Scientists have discovered that certain organic compounds, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can form in the cold regions of space, challenging previous assumptions that they could only form in hot regions near stars.
• PAHs were found in samples from the Ryugu asteroid and the Murchison meteorite, and were compared to PAHs produced by burning plants on Earth.
• The bonds between light and heavy carbon isotopes in the PAHs were analyzed to reveal the temperature at which they were formed, providing evidence that some PAHs can form in cold space.
• The findings have significant implications for understanding the origins of life, as PAHs are considered building blocks of life due to their carbon content.
• The research also offers valuable insights into the history and chemistry of celestial bodies like asteroids and meteorites.

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Space.com Salon ScienceDaily