Meteorites contain rare nucleobase analogs found in space
In short: A study of 12 meteorites found three unusual nucleobase analogs, including purine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 6,8-diaminopurine. These compounds, not typically found on Earth, were also produced in lab experiments using ammonium cyanide, suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
The research analyzed nucleobases in meteorites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. It compared results with lab experiments that generated similar compounds, supporting an extraterrestrial source.
The study found these nucleobases in meteorites but not in terrestrial samples, indicating they may have formed in space. However, the study did not test all possible origins, limiting its ability to rule out other explanations.
Why it matters: This study suggests that some of the building blocks of life may have originated in space, offering new insights into the origins of life on Earth.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Callahan et al. (2011). Carbonaceous meteorites contain a wide range of extraterrestrial nucleobases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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