The sample being returned from the asteroid Bennu is expected to contain organics including amino acids, based on infrared absorption measurements (https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2021/09/aa41167-21/aa41167-21.html).
The objective of the mission is to shed light on the origins of life on earth, based on organic compounds found in asteroids. One hypothesis is that amino acids from extraterrestrial sources such as asteroids may have formed part of the origins of life on earth.
Will the returned sample be found to contain terrestrial amino acids?
If the sample does not return, does not contain amino acids, is found to contain extraterrestrial amino acids or is confirmed to have been contaminated, this resolves NO. If terrestrial amino acids are confirmed it returns YES.
(This is not my field so please poke holes; I'll try to clarify in the spirit of the question)
1,000
1.00@TomBouley originally I had been under the impression that terrestrial amino acids were distinguishable from extraterrestrial, and that the presence of terrestrial amino acids might indicate that life on earth originated as a result of organic compounds from meteors. However with some research I now understand that it's not so clear cut, and that terrestrial amino acids have been detected in meteorites before.
The question still works but perhaps it's less interesting than I'd intended. It also might take some work to resolve. I will not bet in this market.
I'm not a biologist, so I asked chat gpt (3.5, alas) for more information:
In comparing terrestrial and extraterrestrial amino acids, there are several key differences and similarities that an expert astrobiologist might consider:
1. Chirality: One important difference is the chirality or "handedness" of amino acids. Terrestrial life predominantly uses left-handed (L) amino acids, while right-handed (D) amino acids are rare in biological systems. In contrast, extraterrestrial amino acids found in meteorites and space environments often show a mixture of both L and D forms. This difference in chirality can be a significant indicator of whether amino acids are of terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin.
2. Composition: The specific types and relative abundances of amino acids can differ between terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources. Terrestrial organisms primarily use a set of 20 amino acids to build proteins, while extraterrestrial sources may contain a wider variety of amino acids, some of which are not used by Earth-based life.
3. Isotope Ratios: Analysis of the isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and other elements in amino acids can provide clues about their origin. Terrestrial amino acids typically exhibit specific isotopic signatures due to biological processes, while extraterrestrial amino acids may have isotopic compositions indicative of non-biological origins.
4. Contaminants and Processing: Extraterrestrial amino acids may have undergone unique processing in space environments, such as exposure to cosmic radiation or high-energy particles, which can lead to the formation of unusual compounds or modifications not typically seen in terrestrial amino acids.
5. Complexity: Some extraterrestrial amino acids may be less complex or smaller in size compared to those used by terrestrial life. This could be due to different environmental conditions in space or on other celestial bodies.
6. Abundance: Extraterrestrial amino acids are often found in trace amounts, and their concentrations can vary widely depending on the source (e.g., meteorites, comets). In contrast, terrestrial amino acids are abundant in living organisms.
While there are differences between terrestrial and extraterrestrial amino acids, it's important to note that some amino acids found in meteorites are identical to those used by terrestrial life. This has led to intriguing hypotheses that extraterrestrial delivery of organic molecules, including amino acids, could have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth. The study of these amino acids helps astrobiologists piece together the puzzle of life's potential origins beyond our planet.
@Tomoffer so I would say that if, based on the above criteria, amino acids are found which are indistinguishable from terrestrial amino acids, it resolves YES. However that's probably not, in itself, a particularly amazing result.