A meteorite that impacted a New Jersey home in July 2024 contained prebiotic molecules and other essential components for life, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances. The homeowner preserved the fragments in glass jars, enabling an international team of researchers to analyze them. The meteorite was identified as a rare CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite, marking only the second observed fall of this type, which the SETI Institute described as one of the most scientifically valuable meteorites recovered.
The forensic analysis revealed that the meteorite had been covered in concentrated salty fluids, or brine, before detaching from its parent asteroid, a finding that had not been previously documented for this type of object. The presence of brines is significant as they can facilitate the formation of molecules essential for life on Earth. The meteorite also contained various soluble organic compounds, including magnesium organic compounds and amino acids, which may have originated from the brine or earlier impacts on the parent asteroid.
Researchers suggest that CM-type carbonaceous chondrite meteorites may have contributed organic materials to Earth, potentially leading to the emergence of life. Following the forensic study, some fragments of the meteorite will be housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The meteorite's trajectory included a pass over New York City before landing in New Jersey. Museum curator Denton Ebel expressed excitement about the discovery, stating that it is a valuable asteroid sample.