The Mystery of Ribose: Seeds of Life from the Cosmos!

 

Where did the spark of life first ignite in the vast darkness of the universe? This question has haunted scientists for centuries. However, a discovery by NASA announced in December 2025 has lifted the veil from this mystery. In the samples brought from the surface of Asteroid Bennu, sugars considered the foundation of life have been found, which could rewrite the entire story of life’s arrival on Earth.

1. Samples from Bennu and Historical Research

Dr. Yoshihiro Furukawa of Tohoku University, Japan, and his team conducted a microscopic analysis of the 121.6 grams of samples brought to Earth by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. In these samples, which landed on 24 September 2023, scientists discovered 'Ribose' (a 5-carbon sugar) and 'Glucose' (a 6-carbon sugar). This is the first time in history that sugar has been found in samples directly brought from an extraterrestrial body.

2. 'RNA World': The Cosmic Swiss Army Knife

This discovery provides strong support to the 'RNA World Hypothesis'. Scientists believe that before DNA and proteins existed, there was an era of RNA on Earth.

·         Versatile Role: Just as a Swiss Army Knife contains many tools, RNA could store Genetic Information and also act as a Catalyst for chemical reactions.

·         The Missing Link: Amino Acids and Nucleobases had already been found on Bennu; now, with the discovery of Ribose, the entire 'Molecular Toolkit' for creating RNA is complete. Interestingly, Ribose was found but Deoxyribose (a part of DNA) was not, proving that RNA likely came first.

3. Convergence of Ancient Knowledge and Modern Science

Regarding the origin of life, our Charaka Samhita mentions the Panchamahabhuta (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space). Modern science also states that we are made of Stardust (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, etc.). The journey from the famous Miller-Urey Experiment of 1953 to today's asteroid research shows that the formation of Organic Molecules from inorganic matter is a natural process of the universe.

4. Methodology: Searching for Chemical Signatures

Dr. Furukawa's team used the highly complex Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) method. The samples were dissolved in liquid, heated into vapor, and the weight of each molecule and its 'Retention Time' were measured. This analysis proved that Ribose has been preserved and remains Chemically Active on Bennu for billions of years.

5. Pioneers of Science: Furukawa and Lauretta

The hard work of two great scientists lies behind this success:

·         Dr. Yoshihiro Furukawa: Who has been studying how life’s molecules are formed by recreating space-like conditions in the laboratory since 2009.

·         Dr. Dante Lauretta: The Principal Investigator of the OSIRIS-REx mission, who struggled for 7 years to prepare NASA for this mission.

6. Future Direction: A Blessing or a Curse?

The discovery of Bennu is not just history; it is a roadmap for the future:

·         Synthetic Biology: Scientists are now creating synthetic RNA in labs, which could revolutionize cancer treatment and the development of new vaccines in the future.

·         Risks: The creation of Biological Weapons or damage to global Biodiversity are also risks associated with this technology.

Conclusion:

Asteroid Bennu teaches us that life is perhaps not just Earth's own invention, but a collective creation of the entire universe. If the seeds of life are scattered across space, then we can never be alone in this infinite cosmos.

The Milky Way: Exploring Our Grand Cosmic Neighborhood

 

        Our universe is filled with countless mysteries, and our own cosmic address is 'Mandakini' (The Milky Way). From a scientific perspective, the Milky Way is not just a cluster of stars, but an extremely complex, living, and dynamic system.

1. Structure and Dimensions

        The Milky Way consists of approximately 100 Billion stars and vast Nebulae. To an observer in space, it appears as a 'Spiral' galaxy.

• Shape: Viewed from the top, it looks like a rotating wheel (disk), but from the side, it resembles a flattened disc or a puffed-up 'puri'.
• Diameter: Approximately 100,000 Light-years.
• Central Bulge: The thickness of the Milky Way’s center is about 15,000 light-years, where the density of stars is highest.
• Sun's Location: Our Sun is an average star located in the 'Orion Arm', about 30,000 light-years away from the center. At the Sun's position, the galaxy is about 2,500 light-years thick.

2. Spiral Arms and Star Formation

        The most striking feature of the Milky Way is its Spiral Arms. These arms are actually dense bands of gas and dust wrapped around the center.

• Star Nursery: These arms contain extremely hot blue stars and clouds of Ionized Hydrogen. Due to gravity, these gas clouds collapse, giving birth to new stars.
• Major Arms: Our galaxy has major arms like Sagittarius, Perseus, Cygnus, and Orion. These arms are typically 10,000 light-years long and 500 light-years wide.

3. Galactic Rotation and Dynamics

        The Milky Way is not stationary in space; it is constantly rotating on its axis. This motion is not like a 'Solid Body' but varies according to the distance from the center.

• Orbital Speed: At the Sun's location, it orbits the center at a speed of approximately 210 km/s.
• Cosmic Year: It takes the Sun about 220 to 250 million years (22 to 25 crore years) to complete one orbit around the galactic center. This period is known as a 'Cosmic Year'. Since its birth, the Sun has completed about 30 such orbits.
• Changing Constellations: Due to this rotation, the relative positions of stars change over millions of years. Because of this, constellations like Ursa Major (Saptarshi) looked different thousands of years ago and will change again in the future.

4. Stellar Populations

        Scientists have classified stars into two main categories based on their age and chemical composition:

• Population I: These are young stars, rich in 'metal' elements. They are primarily found in the Spiral Arms. Our Sun belongs to this category.
• Population II: These are ancient, older stars. They are found in the Central Bulge and the surrounding Galactic Halo. Stars in the halo do not participate in the galaxy's rotation.

5. The Galactic Center and Black Hole

        According to modern research, a powerful Supermassive Black Hole exists at the center of the Milky Way, known as 'Sagittarius A' (Sgr A)**.

 Conclusion

        The Milky Way is not just a collection of stars but a vast and wonderful system. It continuously produces new stars and contributes to the evolution of the universe. As science advances, Radio Telescopes are providing us with clearer information about this magnificent stellar world.

Matter and Antimatter: The Cosmic Twins

 

Our surrounding universe is as vast as it is mysterious. In the world of science, there are two aspects that are both complementary and arch-enemies—Matter and Antimatter. In this article, we will dive deep into this incredible subject.

1. Basic Understanding: Matter and its "Shadow" World

Our bodies, the Earth, the Sun, and the stars are all composed of Matter. An atom of matter consists of protons, electrons, and neutrons. However, in nature, every particle has a corresponding Anti-particle.

Antimatter looks and behaves exactly like matter, but its electrical charges are completely reversed. For example, the anti-particle of an electron is the 'Positron', which carries a positive charge. When these two meet, they annihilate each other and transform into pure energy. This process is known as Annihilation.

2. A Discovery Born from Mathematics

The discovery of antimatter didn't happen by accident in a lab; it was born from mathematical equations.

                                                         Paul Dirac

                 

• 1928 Prediction: British physicist Paul Dirac wrote an equation (The Dirac Equation) which proved that a "mirror world" must exist in nature.
• 1932 Proof: While studying cosmic rays, American scientist Carl Anderson actually discovered the 'Positron'. This discovery sent shockwaves through the scientific world.

3. The Biggest Mystery of the Big Bang

Scientists believe that when the universe was created 13.8 billion years ago during the 'Big Bang', matter and antimatter were produced in equal amounts. According to the laws of physics, they should have canceled each other out, leaving nothing but light (energy) in the universe.

However, for some unknown reason, a tiny fraction of matter survived, which forms our entire universe today. Where did the extra antimatter go? This remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of science, known as Baryon Asymmetry.

4. Production and Challenges on Earth

Finding natural antimatter on Earth is nearly impossible because it explodes and vanishes the moment it touches air or ground. It is produced artificially at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland using 'Particle Accelerators'.

• Cost: It is the most expensive substance in the world. 1 gram of antimatter is estimated to cost approximately $62.5 trillion.
• Storage: To store it, a device called a 'Penning Trap' is used. It uses a powerful magnetic field to keep the antimatter suspended in a vacuum so it doesn't touch the walls of the container.

5. Hope for the Future: From Cancer to Deep Space

Antimatter is not just destructive; it could prove to be a boon for humanity:

• Medical Field: Antimatter (positrons) is already used today in 'PET Scans' (Positron Emission Tomography) for diagnosing diseases like cancer.
• Space Science: If we can produce enough antimatter, Antimatter Propulsion rockets could take us to other star systems. Just 0.5 grams of antimatter contains as much energy as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima!

Conclusion

Matter and antimatter are like two sides of the same coin. While matter is the symbol of life and substance, antimatter is the gateway to infinite energy and the deep secrets of the cosmos. As science progresses, we might one day harness the power of antimatter to travel to the farthest corners of the universe.

Mars: Mankind's Next Address?

 

    Mars has always been a subject of curiosity for humans.Scientists believe that if there is a possibility of life on any planet after Earth, it is Mars.

Let’s explore some of its exciting aspects:

1. Evidence of Water on Mars

    Water is essential for life. Evidence suggests that in the past, Mars had rivers, lakes, and perhaps even vast oceans.Even today, water is present in the form of ice at the Martian poles.NASA's rovers have also expressed the possibility of liquid water existing beneath the Martian surface.

2. Atmosphere and Life

    The atmosphere of Mars is much thinner than Earth's and consists of 95% carbon dioxide. There is very little oxygen. However, NASA’s 'MOXIE' device recently succeeded in producing oxygen from the Martian atmosphere, which will be crucial for future human habitation.

3. Could Microbes Exist There?

    Scientists are not looking for large animals or aliens on Mars; they are searching for microbes. Methane gas has been found in Martian soil, which on Earth is produced by living organisms. Therefore, it is believed that bacteria might still be alive beneath the surface.

4. Similarities Between Earth and Mars

The possibility of life on Mars is higher because it is similar to Earth in many ways:

• Length of Day: A day on Mars is 24 hours and 39 minutes, nearly the same as Earth.
• Seasons: Like Earth, Mars also experiences seasons such as winter and summer.
• Axial Tilt: Mars is tilted 25 degrees on its axis, while Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees.

Challenges of Human Habitation

If we go to live there, we will face several major challenges:

• Radiation: Mars lacks a protective magnetic field like Earth, resulting in very high levels of lethal radiation.
• Cold: The average temperature on Mars is as low as -60°C.
• Food: The soil contains toxic elements called perchlorates, making direct farming impossible.

Farming and Future Missions

How will farming work on Mars?

Martian soil, known as 'Regolith', lacks nutrients. To grow food, the following methods will be used:

• Greenhouses: Since open-air farming is impossible, glass domes or greenhouses will be built to maintain Earth-like pressure and oxygen.
• Hydroponics: This method of growing plants in nutrient-rich water without soil will be ideal.
• Fertilizer: Human waste can be purified and used as fertilizer.
• Light: Because Mars is far from the sun, special LED lights will provide the necessary energy for plants.

SpaceX Starship: The Martian Vehicle

Elon Musk’s 'Starship' is the most powerful rocket to date. Its key features include:

• Reusable: It can return to Earth and be reused, reducing space travel costs by 100 times.
• Capacity: It can carry more than 100 passengers at once.
• In-situ Fuel: To return, it will use Martian carbon dioxide and ice to create methane fuel.

Travel Time

    When the two planets are at their closest, the journey takes about 6 to 9 months. This opportunity only occurs once every 26 months.

A Self-Sustaining City

Architects are working on blueprints for a 'self-sustaining city:

• Vertical City (Nüwa): Homes will be carved into massive cliffs to protect residents from radiation and meteors.
• 3D Printing: Robots will build houses using local Martian soil.
• Energy: Power will be generated through vast solar farms and small nuclear reactors (Kilopower).
• Recycling: Water and air will be 100% recycled.

 

What Will Life Be Like on Mars?

• Your Weight: Martian gravity is only 38% of Earth's. If you weigh 100 kg on Earth, you will weigh only 38 kg on Mars.
• Blue Sunset: Due to fine dust particles in the atmosphere, sunsets on Mars appear blue.
• Lava Tubes: Humans may live in natural volcanic caves (lava tubes) for protection from radiation.
• Slow Internet: Communication with Earth takes between 3 to 22 minutes.A "Hi" on WhatsApp might get a reply half an hour later!
• Age: A year on Mars is 687 days. You would celebrate your birthday roughly every two Earth years!

Earth vs. Mars Comparison

Feature	Earth	Mars
Air to Breathe	Yes (Oxygen)	No (Carbon Dioxide)
Average Temp	15°C	-60°C
Gravity	100%	38%
Year Length	365 Days	687 Days
Sunset Color	Red / Orange	Blue