The discovery lends weight to the theory that comets "seed" planets with the essential elements to the origin of life.
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| Rosetta probe image of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko |
Scientists involved in the Rosetta probe mission say they have discovered the building blocks of life in a gassy atmosphere surrounding a comet.
They said the European spacecraft had found clear evidence of the amino acid glycine - a basic component of proteins - and phosphorus, which helps build DNA.It lends weight to the theory that comets "seed" planets with the raw ingredients of life.
While simple organic molecules had already been found around the comet, this is the first time Comet 67P has yielded elements essential to the origin of life on Earth.
Rosetta's UK project scientist Dr Matt Taylor said: "The multitude of organic molecules already identified by Rosina, now joined by the exciting confirmation of fundamental ingredients like glycine and phosphorous, confirms our idea that comets have the potential to deliver key molecules for prebiotic chemistry.
"Demonstrating that comets are reservoirs of primitive material in the solar system, and vessels that could have transported these vital ingredients to Earth, is one of the key goals of the Rosetta mission, and we are delighted with this result."
Rosetta reached Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in August 2014 after a four-billion-mile journey that took 10 years.
Glycine is the smallest of the 20 amino acids that form the protein "alphabet". They link together in chains to create proteins, the large molecules that are fundamental to the structure and function of living cells.
Dr Kathrin Altwegg, principal Rosina investigator from the Centre of Space and Habitability at the University of Bern in Germany, said: "This is the first unambiguous detection of glycine in the thin atmosphere of a comet."
The research was reported in the journal Science Advances.
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