The Latest Breaking News from Ryugu

Scientists have found microorganisms crawling over a sample retrieved from the 200 million-mile-distant asteroid Ryugu. But they almost certainly came from Earth.

A new study of samples from Ryugu found that microorganisms can avoid even stringent contamination controls

Samples of the asteroid Ryugu, returned to Earth by the Hayabusa2 mission, carry evidence that organic molecules important to life were once delivered to Earth by comets.

This year was one of the biggest ever for asteroid science, with NASA's triumphant return from asteroid Bennu, the grand reveal of organic molecules from asteroid Ryugu, a close look at the gory aftermath of an asteroid collision, and more.

PAHs may be able to form in cold regions of space, affecting what scientists think about the origins of planets and possibility of alien life.

A sample from the asteroid Bennu, collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission, has arrived at London's Natural History Museum for analysis. Scientists are optimistic that it could contain the seeds of life.

Around 15 years ago, I was on a European Space Agency (Esa) committee, looking at Esa’s strategy for proposed forthcoming space missions. Under consideration was a mission to an asteroid. Over dinner, one of the committee members, an astrophysicist, quizzed me on why we needed to visit one of these…

Hayabusa2 ferried pristine asteroid samples to Earth in 2020. A new study reveals they contain uracil, a key life building block.

How did life come about? The answer to this question goes to the very heart of our existence on planet Earth.