The discovery could reshape what we know about Solar System’s formation, and how life may have begun on Earth.

In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists have uncovered why carbon-rich asteroids, which are abundant throughout our Solar System, are rarely found on Earth’s surface. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the formation of the Solar System but also sheds light on the potential origins of life on our planet. The research, led by a team of international scientists including members from Curtin University and the Paris Observatory, indicates that these carbon-heavy asteroids are likely to disintegrate before they can reach our atmosphere. The study suggests that as these asteroids pass close to the sun, they are subjected to intense heat, which leads to their breakdown. Dr. Hadrien Devillepoix of Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences noted, 'many of these meteoroids don’t even make it that far: they break apart from being heated repeatedly as they pass close to the Sun.' The analysis involved studying nearly 8,000 meteoroid trajectories and 540 potential meteorite falls, utilizing data from 19 observation networks across 39 countries. Surprisingly, researchers found that carbon-rich meteoroids are significantly more likely to disintegrate in space, especially after multiple close encounters with the sun. This raises critical questions about the availability of carbon-rich meteorites for study, which are essential for understanding the chemical building blocks of life. 'Carbon-rich meteorites are some of the most chemically primitive materials we can study – they contain water, organic molecules and even amino acids,' said Dr. Patrick Shober, the lead author. The scarcity of these meteorites in collections could lead to an incomplete understanding of the Solar System’s history and the astrophysical processes that may have led to life on Earth. Additionally, the research indicates that meteoroids formed from tidal disruptions are particularly fragile and rarely survive atmospheric entry. As the scientific community gains insights into these phenomena, the findings published in the journal Nature Astronomy pave the way for more strategic asteroid exploration and improved hazard assessments for future impacts. The implications of this study extend far beyond mere scientific curiosity; they challenge existing theories related to the origins of life and the environmental conditions required for life to flourish on Earth, an issue that continues to capture the imagination of scientists and the public alike.