What is the origin of life on Earth? Does life originate from this planet or from distant places in the universe?
The Theory of Evolution and Unanswered Mysteries
According to the “theory of evolution,” a theory widely accepted by many scientists today, life on Earth has developed over billions of years from simple forms to more complex ones. However, despite the broad acceptance of this theory, there are still many crucial pieces of evidence missing at key stages, and the process of life formation from simple cells to complex organisms is not yet fully understood.
The theory of evolution acknowledges that life on Earth has developed over billions of years from simple forms to more complex ones. (Illustrative image)
Biologists believe that humans are part of the evolutionary chain on Earth. However, long before humans appeared, many other forms of life existed much earlier, and their origins remain a significant question. Organic cells—the foundation of life—are thought to have arisen from natural elements present on Earth, such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water. These elements, under the influence of ultraviolet rays and other natural factors, led to the formation of amino acids, which are essential components of life.
Amino Acids: The Key to Life
Amino acids play a crucial role in creating living cells, and from there, complex organisms are formed. However, the process by which initial elements form organic cells remains a major mystery. Currently, scientists can only propose hypotheses and use some evidence to support their theories but have not been able to replicate this complex process due to technological limitations.
New Discoveries from Asteroids: Progress in Researching the Origins of Life
A significant advancement in researching the origins of life comes from the asteroid exploration mission of the Hayabusa2 probe from Japan. Hayabusa2 returned samples from an asteroid located 340 million kilometers from Earth. These samples, weighing only about 5.4 grams, have provided scientists with fresh insights into the relationship between organic elements and the formation of living cells.
In June 2022, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun published important information: more than 20 different types of amino acids were found in samples from the asteroid. This is a critical discovery because amino acids are essential for the formation of life. Finding them on an asteroid suggests that the necessary elements for life may not only exist on Earth but could also appear elsewhere in the universe.
20 amino acids found in asteroid samples.
Could Life Come from Other Planets?
The discoveries from Hayabusa2 raise the question of whether life on Earth could have originated from other planets. One hypothesis suggests that life may have formed on a distant planet and then been brought to Earth via asteroids or comets. Although this is still a theory that has not been fully substantiated, it opens a new avenue for research into the origins of life.
The Potential for Life Beyond Earth
While the necessary elements for life can be found on asteroids, a more complex environment is required for life to actually form. Asteroids only possess certain conditions and do not fully meet the factors necessary to sustain life. The question of whether there is life beyond Earth remains unanswered. Some scientists believe that life could exist elsewhere in the universe, while others think that Earth is a special case.
Missions in Search of Extraterrestrial Life
Countries around the world are continuously conducting space exploration missions to search for life beyond Earth. The United States has sent the Perseverance rover to Mars, while China is also conducting its own explorations. However, so far, there have been no clear signs of life on other planets.
Recent research reports from Japan have proposed a noteworthy hypothesis: life on Earth may have originated from other planets. If this hypothesis is correct, it would change how we view Earth’s position in the universe and the origins of life.
Could life on Earth have originated from other planets?
The universe is vast, and life on Earth is just a small part of that immense space. Earth may be a special planet, or it may just be one of many planets capable of supporting life. As technology advances, scientists will continue to explore and gradually unveil the mysteries surrounding the origin of life, not only on Earth but also on other planets in the universe.
Understanding the origins of life is a long journey that requires patience and continuous innovation in science. Only when we gain a deeper understanding of life and the universe can we begin to answer big questions, such as whether life truly exists elsewhere.
