Glavin and colleagues found Bennu samples rich in volatiles, with more carbon, nitrogen and ammonia than Ryugu samples and most meteorites.
As reported in: Glavin, Dworkin, Alexander et al. (2025). Abundant ammonia and nitrogen-rich soluble organic matter in samples from asteroid (101955) Bennu. Nature Astronomy. doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02472-9
Oba and colleagues detected uracil, one of the four RNA bases, plus niacin (vitamin B3) in water extracts of Ryugu samples.
As reported in: Oba, Koga, Takano et al. (2023). Uracil in the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-36904-3
Oba and colleagues detected purines and pyrimidines including cytosine, uracil and thymine in three carbon-rich meteorites, measuring down to parts per trillion.
As reported in: Oba, Takano, Furukawa et al. (2022). Identifying the wide diversity of extraterrestrial purine and pyrimidine nucleobases in carbonaceous meteorites. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-29612-x
Callahan and colleagues analysed 12 meteorites and found a wide range of nucleobases and related molecules, supporting that they formed in space rather than from Earth contamination.
As reported in: Callahan, Smith, Cleaves et al. (2011). Carbonaceous meteorites contain a wide range of extraterrestrial nucleobases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi:10.1073/pnas.1106493108
Elsila and colleagues measured carbon isotopes and concluded that glycine in Stardust samples came from the comet, while another amino acid was Earth contamination from nylon.
As reported in: Elsila, Glavin, Dworkin (2009). Cometary glycine detected in samples returned by Stardust. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2009.tb01224.x
McKay and colleagues reported organic molecules (PAHs), carbonate globules and tiny magnetite grains in ALH84001 and proposed they could be relics of ancient biology, while noting non-biological formation was possible. The claim remains disputed.
As reported in: McKay, Gibson, Thomas-Keprta et al. (1996). Search for Past Life on Mars: Possible Relic Biogenic Activity in Martian Meteorite ALH84001. Science. doi:10.1126/science.273.5277.924
Kvenvolden and colleagues reported evidence for extraterrestrial amino acids and hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite.
As reported in: KVENVOLDEN, LAWLESS, PERING et al. (1970). Evidence for Extraterrestrial Amino-acids and Hydrocarbons in the Murchison Meteorite. Nature. doi:10.1038/228923a0
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