The Latest Breaking News from Ryugu

NASA OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return team has revealed exciting evidence of the precursors of life in the pieces of space rock Bennu.

A sample of the asteroid Ryugu returned to Earth by the Hayabusa2 mission was rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms, new research has revealed.

Japan has many iconic tourist destinations, but one place unlikely to be on many itineraries is about 90 minutes from central Tokyo – and it's just as intriguing as one of the world's most photogenic mountains.

Samples of asteroid Ryugu, collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, have revealed the impact solar winds and tiny space rocks have had on the asteroid itself.

Samples of the asteroid Ryugu, returned to Earth by the Hayabusa2 mission, carry evidence that organic molecules important to life were once delivered to Earth by comets.

This year was one of the biggest ever for asteroid science, with NASA's triumphant return from asteroid Bennu, the grand reveal of organic molecules from asteroid Ryugu, a close look at the gory aftermath of an asteroid collision, and more.

PAHs may be able to form in cold regions of space, affecting what scientists think about the origins of planets and possibility of alien life.

A sample from the asteroid Bennu, collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission, has arrived at London's Natural History Museum for analysis. Scientists are optimistic that it could contain the seeds of life.

Around 15 years ago, I was on a European Space Agency (Esa) committee, looking at Esa’s strategy for proposed forthcoming space missions. Under consideration was a mission to an asteroid. Over dinner, one of the committee members, an astrophysicist, quizzed me on why we needed to visit one of these…