NASA said during a live stream Wednesday that Bennu asteroid samples collected by the OSIRIS-Rex mission contain water, carbon and organic molecules - the building blocks of life.
1 of 4 | On Wednesday NASA unveiled the Bennu asteroid sample taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Initial results revealed water, carbon, sulfur and iron - major building blocks of life. NASA Photo by Keegan Barber/UPI | License Photo Oct. 11 (UPI) -- NASA said Wednesday that Bennu asteroid samples collected by the OSIRIS-Rex mission contain water, carbon and organic molecules -- the building blocks of life. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said it's an exciting discovery, with the initial analysis of the material showing abundant carbon. Advertisement "At nearly 5% carbon by weight, carbon being the central element of life, far exceeding our goals of 60 grams. This is the largest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth," Nelson said. "First analysis shows samples that contain abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals, minerals and carbon." He said knowledge gained from this asteroid sample will "help us protect our planet." Nelson said research from these samples, now and in the future, will provide insights into the origins of the universe. Advertisement "We are going to have answers to questions that we don't even know what the questions are now," Nelson said. "We are glimpsing the early part of the development of this magnificent thing called the universe." Dr.…