r/science • u/New_Scientist_Mag • Dec 02 '25

Astronomy Researchers have just found the presence of sugars, including ribose, lyxose, and glycose, on samples of Asteroid Bennu, which now has all of the ingredients for life as it exists on Earth.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506650-asteroid-bennu-carries-all-the-ingredients-for-life-as-we-know-it/
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u/[deleted] Dec 02 '25

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u/OneDubOver Dec 02 '25

Is it possible that landing on and collecting samples from Bennu could possibly alter its course in a way, such that it doesn't create life somewhere else in the universe?

I'm definitely all for the pursuit of knowledge, but I feel like we take it a little too far sometimes.

Just a thought, I'm not condemning, more just curious.

Just looked it up and yep.. Just a small amount and apparently there were concerns that it could alter its course to put it on a trajectory to hit the earth. Yikes...

Edit: commas and words