Great balls of fire from the outer regions of the solar system brought the building blocks of life to Earth 4.6 billion years ago, a new study reveals.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Imperial College London found these ancient meteorites contained carbonaceous chondrite, which consisted of potassium and zinc.

Scientists from RMIT and Monash University in Australia have discovered that the diamonds were formed in an ancient dwarf planet from our solar system.

Both are considered volatiles, which are elements or compounds that change from a solid or liquid state into vapor at relatively low temperatures.

'This contribution of outer Solar System material played a vital role in establishing the Earth's inventory of volatile chemicals,' said Rehkämper.

'It looks as though without the contribution of outer Solar System material, the Earth would have a much lower amount of volatiles than we know it today – making it drier and potentially unable to nourish and sustain life.'