Sydney Scientists Recreate Cosmic Dust to Probe Life’s Origins

Researchers believe cosmic dust helped deliver life’s building blocks to early Earth.
At the University of Sydney, PhD candidate Linda Losurdo has recreated cosmic dust in a laboratory.
The work aims to explain why meteorites contain organic molecules linked to life.
Cosmic dust forms around dying stars and carries carbon-based compounds called CHON molecules.
Scientists debate whether these compounds formed on Earth or arrived from space.
Losurdo recreated space conditions using a vacuum and high-voltage plasma.
The artificial dust matches infrared signatures seen in real cosmic samples.
Experts say the method could advance research into early life on Earth and other planets.