![a) Large area EDS map of Nantan meteorite sample showing the distribution of detected elements. b) XPS SnapMaps of Nantan fragment showing the distribution of Fe and Ni. c) XRF maps of individual elements detected, with a focus on Fe and Ni. Three regions of interest are circled which were analyzed further, high Ni (green), low Ni (red), and the large inclusion (orange). -- [physics.geo-ph]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Correlative.png?resize=1200%2C713&ssl=1)
[physics.geo-ph]. The weathering of iron-rich phases within meteorites is a multi-stage process that significantly alters the microstructure and chemical composition based both on the environmental condition at the location of […]
magnetite
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life
Metagenomics Deciphers Diagenetic Processes Of Ferruginous Mineralization In The Deep Biosphere
[Nature Communications Earth & Environment] Ferruginous conditions in the Precambrian oceans gave rise to ancient iron formations that contain the oldest recognized traces of life in the form of mineral […]
![Magnetite formation under prebiotically plausible conditions. a Envisioned evaporative lake setting on early Earth, where magnetite likely formed via authigenic precipitation facilitated either by solar irradiation or nitrogen oxide from the decomposition of abiotic nitrogen fixation products [62]. As these magnetite particles form, they acquire a natural remanent magnetization under the geomagnetic field. b Experimental setup used to reproduce early Earth conditions and investigate magnetite formation under UV-facilitated synthesis (samples UV1 to UV3) and c via nitrite oxidation of Fe(II) (samples NUV8 and NUV9). Samples NUV5 to NUV7 were synthesized by mixing Fe(II) and Fe(III) with different proportions (10%/90%, 50%/50% and 90%/10% of Fe(II)/Fe(III), respectively). -- physics.chem-ph](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Prebiotic-magnetite.png?resize=1200%2C721&ssl=1)
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Prebiotic Magnetite Enables Chirality-magnetic Surface Feedback
The emergence of biomolecular homochirality requires both an initial symmetry-breaking event and a mechanism to amplify and preserve a chiral imbalance.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Hayabusa2 Asteroid Samples Offer New Insights Into Conditions When The Solar System Formed
To uncover the history of our solar system, it is necessary to study the dynamic evolution of the ancient solar nebula materials.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Near-infrared Spectroscopic Characterization Of The Pallas Family
The Pallas collisional family of asteroids, named after (2) Pallas, is notable for its high orbital inclination and the distinct blue color of Pallas and a few larger B-type family […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Asteroid Bennu: Properties Of The Sample Collected By OSIRIS-REx
On September 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission dropped a capsule to Earth containing ~120 g of pristine carbonaceous regolith from Bennu. We describe the delivery and initial allocation of this asteroid […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Iron-sulfur Minerals Bear Witness To The Earliest Life On Earth
A team of researchers at the Universities of Tübingen and Göttingen has found that certain minerals with characteristic shapes could indicate the activity of bacteria in hydrothermal vents – or […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Probing The Effects Of Interplanetary Space On Asteroid Ryugu
Samples reveal evidence of changes experienced by the surface of asteroid Ryugu, some probably due to micrometeoroid bombardment.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Exploration Gear & Tech, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Status Report
Asteroid (101955) Bennu In The Laboratory: Properties Of The Sample Collected By OSIRIS-REx
On 24 September 2023, the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission dropped a capsule to Earth containing approximately 120 g of pristine carbonaceous regolith from Bennu.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Renaissance For Magnetotactic Bacteria In Astrobiology
Capable of forming magnetofossils similar to some magnetite nanocrystals observed in the Martian meteorite ALH84001, magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) once occupied a special position in the field of astrobiology during the […]