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Astronomers discover asteroid containing life-building blocks
The composition of Bennu has been found to include minerals and a vast array of organic molecules, among them the chemical constituents of DNA.
A groundbreaking analysis has revealed that the asteroid Bennu contains the fundamental chemical components of life, which were discovered in the asteroid's dusty grain.
The space rock, sampled by a Nasa spacecraft and returned to Earth, has yielded a diverse array of minerals and thousands of organic compounds, including a wide range of complex molecules.
Notably, the samples contain amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and nucleobases, the essential components of DNA, highlighting the asteroid's potential role in delivering these crucial molecules to Earth.
While the discovery does not imply that life existed on Bennu, it lends credence to the theory that asteroids like Bennu may have transported these vital ingredients to Earth billions of years ago, potentially contributing to the emergence of life on our planet.
The same compounds found on Bennu could also have been delivered to other planets and moons in our Solar System, raising intriguing questions about the possibility of life beyond Earth.
According to Prof Sara Russell, a renowned cosmic mineralogist from the Natural History Museum in London, the findings from the asteroid are nothing short of remarkable, offering invaluable insights into the origins of life.
The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of how life began, enabling scientists to address fundamental questions about the emergence of life in the universe, and sparking further investigation into this complex and fascinating topic.
The research has been published in two comprehensive papers in the esteemed journals Nature and Nature Astronomy, providing a detailed account of the findings.
The mission to collect a sample from Bennu was a monumental undertaking by Nasa, marking one of the most ambitious endeavors in the agency's history.
In a daring maneuver, the Osiris Rex spacecraft deployed a robotic arm to collect a sample from the 500m-wide asteroid, which was then sealed in a capsule and returned to Earth in 2023.
Although the collected sample weighs only 120g, it has proven to be an incredibly valuable resource, yielding a wealth of new information about the asteroid's composition and history.
As Prof Russell noted, each grain of the asteroid sample holds a unique secret, offering scientists a fascinating glimpse into the asteroid's formation and evolution.
A small portion of the sample, equivalent to about a teaspoon, was sent to researchers in the UK for further analysis, allowing scientists to study the asteroid's composition in greater detail.
The latest research has shown that the asteroid is rich in nitrogen and carbon-based compounds, including a diverse array of organic molecules.
The sample contains 14 of the 20 amino acids used by life on Earth, as well as all four nucleobases that make up DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, highlighting the asteroid's potential role in delivering these crucial molecules to our planet.
The study has also identified a range of minerals and salts, suggesting that water may have been present on the asteroid in the past, and detected ammonia, a key component in biochemical reactions.
While some of these compounds have been found in meteorites that have fallen to Earth, others are being reported for the first time, expanding our understanding of the asteroid's composition and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Prof Russell described the sample as "incredible" and "full of surprises," noting the unique combination of minerals and compounds that have not been seen before in meteorites.
The new findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that asteroids played a crucial role in delivering water and organic material to Earth, shaping the planet's early environment and paving the way for life to emerge.
Dr Ashley King, from the Natural History Museum, explained that the early Solar System was a turbulent and dynamic environment, with millions of asteroids like Bennu colliding with planets and moons, potentially seeding them with the ingredients for life.
This process, known as panspermia, may have provided the necessary building blocks for life to emerge on Earth, and potentially on other planets, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of the Solar System.
The collision of asteroids with other planets would have had a profound impact on the early Solar System, shaping the environment and potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
As Dr King noted, while Earth is currently the only known haven for life, the discovery of organic compounds on asteroids like Bennu suggests that the raw materials for life may have been delivered to other planets and moons, raising hopes for finding life elsewhere in the Solar System.
The question of why life emerged on Earth and not elsewhere in the Solar System remains a profound mystery, and one that scientists are eager to explore further, using the insights gained from the study of asteroids like Bennu.
Answering this question will require continued research and exploration, as scientists seek to understand the complex interplay of factors that led to the emergence of life on our planet.
With decades of research ahead on the samples returned from Bennu, and much of the Solar System still to be explored, scientists are poised to make new discoveries that will shed light on the origins of life and the potential for life beyond Earth.
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GB men’s curling team suffers upset defeat to Italy
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Great Britain’s men’s curling team mounted a comeback against Italy following a disappointing beginning, ultimately falling short in their inaugural match.
Despite a valiant comeback, Team GB ultimately fell short as Italy held their composure to secure the win in the final end.
A dismal start to the match proved costly for Team GB's men, as they suffered their first defeat of the Winter Olympics at the hands of host nation Italy, despite a spirited fightback in the packed Cortina Curling Stadium.
Following victories in their first two matches, including a win over the Swedish rink that beat them in the gold-medal match four years ago, Team GB entered their second high-profile encounter in as many days in a confident position.
However, a disastrous opening end, in which Italy stole four points, left Team GB trailing and facing an uphill battle in front of a boisterous home crowd.
The British team, currently ranked number one in the world, gradually regained their footing and managed to level the score by the ninth end.
Ultimately, Italy maintained their composure in the final end to emerge victorious, winning 9-7 and adding Team GB to their list of scalps, which already included the Swedes.
"We had to dig deep and play some solid curling, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us over the line," Team GB lead Hammy McMillan said in an interview with BBC Sport.
With seven wins from nine round-robin matches guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals, Team GB remains in a strong position, although fewer wins may still be sufficient to advance.
The women's team is set to take to the ice next, facing South Korea in their second match at 13:05 GMT, while the men will return to action on Saturday against the Czech Republic at the same time.
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A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the action.
The looks of shock on the faces of Team GB's curlers told the story of a disastrous opening end.
With a stone in play, Mouat attempted a risky shot in an effort to claim two points, but it backfired, resulting in none of Team GB's stones in the house and four Italian stones in position.
However, the Scottish quartet, ranked number one in the world, quickly regained their composure and got back to their game.
The teams exchanged singles before a impressive final throw by Mouat, aided by a measurement to determine which stone was closest to the button, allowed Team GB to claim two points and narrow the gap to 5-3.
Another excellent team effort, which included a well-judged throw by Mouat, a solid sweep by Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie's strategic expertise, forced Italy to concede a point in the fourth end, reducing the deficit to a single point at the break.
Italy blanked the sixth end and added two points in the seventh to rebuild their lead, but Team GB fought back with two points of their own, remarkably levelling the score with one end remaining after a steal.
The match came down to the final end, but Italy held their nerve to secure the win, prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.
"It's an incredible experience, and we need to get used to it," McMillan added, describing the electric atmosphere as "surreal" and "cool," more akin to a football match than a typical curling crowd.
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Scotland Kicks Off Nations League Against Slovenia
Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland set to begin their campaign on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.
Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland's campaign set to begin on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.
The team's six group stage games will be played within a three-month period, culminating in a match against Switzerland on 16 November.
The fixture list was announced following Thursday's draw, which placed Scotland in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.
Having been relegated from League A after a play-off loss to Greece last year, Scotland will compete in the second tier of the Nations League this year.
In response to the draw, head coach Steve Clarke noted that the teams in the group appear to be evenly matched.
Clarke reflected on the team's past experience in the competition, stating that it has been beneficial for Scotland.
He emphasized the importance of the Nations League, citing its role in helping the team qualify for Euro 2020, and anticipated a challenging set of matches.
A key matchup in the Nations League will see Scotland face off against Switzerland.
The group stage will determine the teams' fates, with the winner earning promotion, the runner-up entering a play-off, the third-placed team facing a relegation play-off, and the fourth-placed team being relegated directly.
The upcoming group games will mark a reunion for Scotland and Switzerland, who previously drew 1-1 in Cologne at Euro 2024.
Scotland's last encounter with Slovenia was during the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, when they won 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 away.
The team has not played North Macedonia since the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away, with goals from Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney.
The schedule for Scotland's Nations League campaign begins on 26 September with a match against Slovenia.
The team will then host Switzerland on 29 September, followed by a trip to face North Macedonia on 3 October.
Scotland will then play Slovenia at home on 6 October, before hosting North Macedonia on 11 November.
The final group stage match will see Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November.
The team's home match against North Macedonia is set for 11 November.
The campaign will conclude with an away match against Switzerland on 16 November.
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Golfer McIlroy Sinks Bunker Shot at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, capping off his opening round with a score of 68.
During the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, contributing to his first-round score of 68.
For further information, Rory McIlroy had a solid opening round, while Hisatsune took the lead.
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