'Without Earth, Sun, or cells': Deep space may have baked the blueprint for life

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Cosmic Origins

[{"selector":"#anim-d7e232ae-b36b-447e-ace7-d1e285ea5aac [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Long before Earth formed, icy clouds in deep space brewed key molecules for life—far from any star. Representative pic

Frozen Alchemy

[{"selector":"#anim-127481e8-71b5-4ab9-9af3-d23cc7cb8db9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.74999965867719%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] At near absolute zero, simple gases exposed to cosmic rays transformed into complex acids essential to metabolism. Representative pic

Stellar Starterkit

[{"selector":"#anim-6c43bee3-9a0c-4098-a017-f1334a4d8f41 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Researchers recreated star-forming conditions to show how life’s chemistry could begin in deep space. Representative pic

Prebiotic Package

[{"selector":"#anim-ade9a917-9030-4a60-8e5e-aca2c6affcbb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(15.589569228566939%, -1.535336704439271%) scale(1.3703703703703702)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Carboxylic acids like those in the Krebs cycle were formed—matching compounds in meteorites like Ryugu. Representative pic

Meteorite Match

[{"selector":"#anim-ef5256d5-1ca8-46ee-a8c9-722e39112c29 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Molecules found in ancient space rocks align with lab-simulated acids, suggesting extraterrestrial seeding. Representative pic

Life Before Earth

[{"selector":"#anim-f88fe27d-3872-4363-89d1-45074515df5a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-43.74999965867719%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] These molecules likely hitched rides on comets and asteroids, delivering life’s ingredients to newborn Earth. Representative pic

Universal Recipe

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Galactic Chemistry

[{"selector":"#anim-40d10a5d-0959-4c77-9c1c-88c84a927111 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.244791571064674%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] This work redefines life’s timeline—chemical evolution in space may have started millions of years early. Representative pic

Island Innovation

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