Life’s genetic code just discovered in asteroid samples

This is a sample of the asteroid Ryugu. The Japanese mission Hayabusa2 brought it back to Earth in 2020. A new study found all 5 fundamental units of life’s genetic code in this asteroid samples. Image via JAXA.

• Scientists analyzing samples from asteroid Ryugu have detected all five of the building blocks that make up DNA and RNA.
• The discovery shows that key ingredients for life can form naturally in space.
• These compounds may have been delivered to early Earth by meteorites.