Panspermia is the hypothesis that life originated on Earth from the bombardment of foreign interstellar ejecta harboring polyextremophile microorganisms.
asteroid
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Organic Compounds In Asteroids Are Formed In Colder Regions Of Space
Analysis of organic compounds – called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – extracted from the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite has found that certain PAHs likely formed in the cold areas […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Hunting for Hydrated Minerals on Trans-Neptunian Objects
We present new optical reflectance spectra of three potentially silicate-rich Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). These spectra were obtained with the aim of confirming past hints and detections of 0.7 micron absorption […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Ryugu Samples Illuminate Terrestrial Weathering Effects On Primitive Meteorites
A groundbreaking study conducted by a team of international scientists has unveiled unprecedented insights into the nature of the asteroid Ryugu and shed light on the composition of water- and […]
Posted inMissions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Astrobiology/Astrogeology Sample Return Update: Likely Cause of OSIRIS-REx Parachute Issue
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule landed under parachute in the Utah desert on Sept. 24, 2023, and safely delivered a cannister of rocks and dust collected from near-Earth asteroid Bennu. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) Call For Applications For 2024 Membership
The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) is seeking applications for open positions starting in 2024! Deadline for applications is December 8, 2023.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Exploring The Origin Of Nucleosynthetic Isotope Variations In Ryugu Samples
The Hayabusa2 space mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) returned home with samples of the asteroid Ryugu that orbits the Sun between Earth and Mars.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
The OSIRIS-REx Bennu Asteroid Sample Contains Carbon And Water
Initial studies of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA show evidence of water and high-carbon content, which together could indicate the building […]
Posted inComets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return
OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule Arrives At Johnson Space Center
The first U.S. asteroid sample, delivered by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to Earth on Sept. 24, has arrived at its permanent home at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
The OSIRIS-REx Samples From Bennu Have Landed On Earth
After years of anticipation and hard work by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Regolith Explorer) team, a capsule of rocks and dust collected from asteroid […]