‘Alien chemistry’ discovered in rare meteorite that crashed through New Jersey home
Scientists have revealed that a meteorite that hit the roof of a house in New Jersey may contain the chemicals needed to start alien life.
The rare space rock, called Hillsborough, crashed into a bedroom after passing through Earth’s atmosphere at 32,000 miles per hour in July 2024, following a sonic boom heard in New York City.
Now researchers say the pristine meteorite contains evidence of “salty fluids” that could help create molecules essential for life.
Lead author Peter Jenniskens, a meteor astronomer at NASA’s Ames Research Center, said: “A forensic study of the fragments revealed that they contained fragments preserved near the surface of a small primitive asteroid where it was exposed to concentrated salty liquids – a process previously unknown on this type of proto-planetary world.”
“Thanks to the rapid response of the host, these are the most intact CM1/2 meteors we know of.”
CM1/2 meteors are among the rarest and most primitive space rocks ever discovered, serving as time capsules since the dawn of the solar system.
The Hillsborough sample is the second witnessed CM1/2 meteorite fall ever recorded and the first to be recovered in such an exceptional case.
After the 9kg rock hit the ceiling, the homeowner carefully collected the pieces using disposable gloves and aluminum foil before placing them in glass jars.
He said: “I was at home at the time when I heard a loud crash and found a hole in the master bedroom ceiling.
“I smelled a strong sulfur-like odor and saw debris and black dust covering my bed, carpet, and surrounding area, as well as numerous black pieces.”
Scientists say the meteorite contains carbon-carrying compounds, amino acids and other prebiotic molecules that may help explain how the ingredients of life first reached Earth billions of years ago.
Researchers believe the object originated from a primitive asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.
Some of the pieces will now be stored at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
“We are thrilled that nature has delivered such a valuable asteroid sample to our door,” said curator Denton Ebel.
The discovery comes as NASA’s Mars missions continue to uncover ancient organic molecules on the Red Planet, raising new hopes that the chemical basis of life may be more widespread across the solar system than previously believed.
