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Asteroid Ryugu Samples from 2020 Contaminated by Earth Bacteria, Researchers Warn Against Alien Life Claims
Nov 27, 2024, 04:46 PM
Researchers have raised concerns about the contamination of samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which were brought back to Earth by Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2020. Initial findings suggest that the rock samples contain traces of Earthly bacteria, leading scientists to caution against claims of alien life. The samples, which include several grams of dust, have provided valuable insights into the origins of water on Earth. Additionally, Hayabusa2 detected around 20,000 different organic molecules on Ryugu, including 15 distinct amino acids, indicating a rich chemical environment that could be conducive to the emergence of life. However, the presence of microbes in the samples highlights the need for improved contamination control measures in future space missions.
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