Organic matter in ancient meteorites

Abstract

The carbonaceous chondrites are fragments of ancient asteroids that have remained relatively unprocessed since the formation of the solar system 4.56 billion years ago. These carbon-rich meteorites contain a variety of extraterrestrial organic molecules that are a record of chemical evolution in the early solar system and subsequent aqueous and thermal processes on asteroids. Recent theories suggest that similar extraterrestrial organic mixtures may have acted as the starting materials for life on Earth.