Discovery of Amino Acids , in Ryugu Asteroid Samples , Could Hint at Extraterrestrial Life.<br />Over 20 types of amino acids were <br />detected in a sample returned to Earth<br />by Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe.<br />Over 20 types of amino acids were <br />detected in a sample returned to Earth<br />by Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe.<br />'Kyodo News' reports that the findings <br />show for the first time that the organic <br />compounds exist on asteroids in space.<br />Amino acids are essential <br />building blocks for all living things.<br />Japan's education ministry <br />said the discovery could broaden <br />our understanding of the origins of life.<br />In December 2020, Hayabusa2 returned<br /> to Earth carrying over 5.4 grams <br />of surface material from the Ryugu asteroid.<br />'Kyodo News' reports that previous <br />analysis of the samples revealed traces <br />of water and other organic material.<br />Kensei Kobayashi, professor emeritus of astrobiology at Yokohama National University, said the discovery suggest amino acids are likely to be found on other planets. .<br />Proving amino acids exist in <br />the subsurface of asteroids increases <br />the likelihood that the compounds <br />arrived on Earth from space, Kensei Kobayashi, professor emeritus of astrobiology <br />at Yokohama National University, via 'Kyodo News'.<br />Life could have been born <br />in more places in the universe <br />than previously thought, Kensei Kobayashi, professor emeritus of astrobiology <br />at Yokohama National University, via 'Kyodo News'.<br />Hayabusa's mission launched in 2014 and reached <br />Ryugu in June of 2018 to collect the first-ever <br />subsurface samples from an asteroid
