Purdue Professor Unlocks Ancient Secrets: Asteroid Bennu Samples to Shed Light on Life's Origins

18.10.2023 - 16:45 / tech.hindustantimes.com

Asteroid Bennu samples are now on Earth and they are all set to set to reveal many secrets of the Universe. These can then be used by mankind to find answers to so many questions that have remained unanswered for so long. Professor Michelle Thompson, hailing from Purdue University in Indiana, has accomplished a remarkable feat by leading a team that collected samples from the Asteroid Bennu. These samples are nothing short of time capsules, offering insights into the formation of our solar system over four and a half billion years ago.

In an interview with CBC News: The National, Professor Thompson described the surreal experience of holding fragments from Asteroid Bennu in her gloved hands. She likened it to walking through Roman ruins in Europe, feeling the weight of history, and connecting with the ancient past. These asteroid fragments, carbon-rich and pristine, contain the building blocks of life, untouched by Earth's atmosphere, making them invaluable for understanding the origins of life on our planet, she said.

The headline-grabbing claim that these asteroid samples might unlock the mysteries of life's beginnings on Earth isn't mere hype. Professor Thompson explained that the carbon molecules in these samples are fundamental to the evolution of life, and studying them can reveal how life could have emerged on Earth. The significance of this endeavor lies in the unadulterated nature of these materials, free from terrestrial contamination.

As for whether this will merely confirm existing theories or offer new revelations, Professor Thompson expressed her excitement for the future. The limited material collected from Bennu opens a window to many opportunities. This mission is set to provide unprecedented insights into the questions surrounding the origins of life on Earth.

The CBC News interview also touched upon Professor Thompson's inspiring journey from a small town in southern Ontario to her current role in planetary science. She credited her success to the support of mentors and the tight-knit planetary science community in Canada. She encouraged aspiring scientists not to hesitate in seeking guidance and mentorship to pave their own paths to fulfilling their dreams.

With her enthusiasm and passion for exploration, Professor Thompson aspires to embark on more adventures, continuing to push the boundaries of our understanding of the cosmos. 

(AFP Science And Technology) A sample collected from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon, NASA revealed on Wednesday, offering more evidence for the theory that life on Earth was seeded from outer space.

The discovery follows a seven-year-round-trip to the distant rock as part of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which dropped off