Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

A meteorite crashed through a New Jersey home on July 16, 2024, and scientists have determined it is only the second observed fall of a rare primitive carbonaceous chondrite, making it exceptionally valuable for research. The meteorite's pristine condition allowed researchers to study fragile organic compounds and discover evidence of concentrated salty fluids near the asteroid's surface—a process previously unknown in this type of asteroid. The findings, published in Science Advances, provide insight into how water, brines, and asteroid chemistry contributed prebiotic molecules and potential building blocks of life to the early Earth.