Samples from asteroid Ryugu, which are CI chondrite-like and rich in water and organic matter, reveal insights into early Solar System prebiotic evolution. Advanced microscopy shows aqueous alteration on Ryugu produced organic particles richer in aromatics than less-altered carbonaceous chondrites, challenging the idea that aromatic-rich matter formed pre-accretion. Diffuse organic material, aliphatic, carboxylic-rich, and aromatic-poor, also exists, preserving soluble organic matter. Some organic particles evolved to encapsulate phyllosilicate, indicating containment of soluble organic matter. Earth has received, and continues to receive, micron-sized polymeric organic objects with biologically relevant molecules.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Jul 22, 2024
Authors
H. G. Changela, Y. Kebukawa, L. Petera, M. Ferus, E. Chatzitheodoridis, L. Nejdl, R. Nebel, V. Protiva, P. Krepelka, J. Moravcova, R. Holbova, Z. Hlavenkova, T. Samoril, J. C. Bridges, S. Yamashita, Y. Takahashi, T. Yada, A. Nakato, K. Sobotkova, H. Tesarova, D. Zapotok
Tags
asteroid Ryugu
prebiotic evolution
organic matter
microscopy
aromatic particles
aqueous alteration
soluble organic matter
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