Key ingredients for life found on asteroid as hunt for ALIENS progresses

EXPERTS have uncovered the essential ingredients needed to support life on a rock 200million miles away, in a fresh hint that we may not be alone.

Japan's space agency made the discovery after it nabbed samples from an asteroid called Ryugu.

The rocky dirt hid more than 20 different amino acids which are the building blocks of life.

It builds on previous clues, suggesting that these organic compounds may well exist on other objects in space.

The amino acids are considered a huge sign because they are the substances that make proteins, which living things produce.

Japan chose the Ryugu asteroid because it is thought to be rich with material from 4.6billion years ago when our solar system was created.

Much of the stuff can't be found here on Earth, reports.

Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) sent a probe called Hayabusa2 to the asteroid in December 2014.

It surveyed the 435m rock for about a year and half, before scooping up pieces and blasting them back to Earth for experts to study.

More secrets to come

Scientists eagerly received the samples in December 2020 and have only revealed extensive detail about their findings now.

Given the success, Hayabusa2's mission has since been extended to 2031 and will visit other asteroids in hope of unlocking more secrets about our universe.

Nasa also wants in on the action, with a similar mission to asteroid Bennu.

Its OSIRIS-REx probe has already collected samples and is expected to return to Earth with them sometime next year.

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