Researchers have found amino acids in other space rocks, but not at such a high concentration. Perhaps most surprisingly, Asuka 12236 contains more left-handed versions of some amino acids. Although there are right-handed and left-handed versions of every amino acid, it lives, as we know, only left-handed amino acids to build proteins.
Researchers want to know why there was an imbalance about left-handed amino acids and what kinds of space conditions could have caused them. They believe that Asuka 12236 was exposed to very little heat or water – two important indications.
Antarctic Search for Meteorites / Daniel Glavin
By studying various meteorites, scientists can create a timeline of changing space conditions to better understand the evolution of amino acids and life as we know it. That’s another reason why Asuka 12236 is so valuable. NASA astrobiologists believe it may have formed before our own solar system.
While the findings of Asuka 12236 are exciting, researchers are envious of studying more space rock samples. In October, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will collect a sample of asteroid Bennu and return a sealed sample of dirt and rocks back to Earth. Researchers will also look for amino acids in that sample.
