Water has been discovered on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, raising hope of an alien breakthrough.
Water has been found on the surface of two asteroids
Scientists made the promising find by using data on asteroids from the retired Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy and isolating mid-infrared signatures that showed water molecules on the asteroids Iris and Massalia.
Water is a key element for life and scientists hope that its presence will give them ideas as to where they can look for extraterrestrials.
Dr. Anicia Arredondo, of Southwest Research Institute, said: "The distribution of water in our solar system will provide insight into the distribution of water in other solar systems.
"And, because water is necessary for all life on Earth, will drive where to look for potential life, both in our solar system and beyond."
The team is also aiming to discover how Earth became the water-filled planet it is now.
Dr. Arredondo said: "Of particular interest is the distribution of water on asteroids, because that can shed light on how water was delivered to Earth."