1. Discovery of Organic Molecules on Meteorites
The famous Murchison meteorite, which fell in Australia in 1969, stunned scientists when it was found to contain amino acids and other organic molecules. These building blocks of life appear to have survived the harsh journey through space and Earth’s fiery atmosphere, suggesting such ingredients could be common throughout the cosmos. NASA research continues to reveal complex organic compounds on meteorites, supporting the idea that life’s origins may be truly universal.