Japan asteroid probe finds 23 amino acids, researchers confirm

'Fossil' from early solar system advances understanding into origin of life

20220609N ryugu asteroid KYODO

The Ryugu asteroid is seen in this photo taken by Hayabusa2 in November 2019. (Handout photo from JAXA) © Kyodo

RYOSUKE MATSUZOE, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- A total of 23 types of amino acids were found in asteroid samples brought back by Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe, according to new studies published in the journal Science and elsewhere, shedding further light on the origins of life on Earth.

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