The discovery of all five essential nucleobases in a 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid indicates that the building blocks of life were present in space long before Earth formed.

All 5 Genetic “Letters” of DNA and RNA Discovered in a 4.5-billion-year-old Asteroid Scientists have discovered all five essential nucleobases used in DNA and RNA in pristine samples from asteroid Ryugu, revealing that key ingredients for life existed in space billions of years ago. The remarkable finding adds to growing evidence from other asteroids and meteorites that these molecules were widespread throughout the… :sciencedaily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/11/261102075903.htm

All 5 genetic “letters” of DNA and RNA discovered in a 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Scientists have discovered all five essential nucleobases used in DNA and RNA in pristine samples from asteroid Ryugu, revealing that key ingredients for life existed in space billions of years ago. The remarkable finding adds to growing evidence from other asteroids and meteorites that these molecules were widespread throughout the early Solar System. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/11/261102075903.htm