Greenbelt, Maryland – An analysis of an asteroid sample collected from Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission suggests a water-rich past for the space rock. There are indications that Bennu may have broken off from an ancient ocean world, providing valuable insights into the solar system’s formation. In 2020, the OSIRIS-REx mission collected a 4.3-ounce pristine sample from Bennu and returned it to Earth in September of last year.
Scientists have been examining the asteroid’s rocks and dust since its return to Earth to determine its composition and potential implications for the development of life on Earth. Asteroids are of great interest to researchers as they hold clues to the early formation of our solar system. Initial findings from the sample revealed a significant amount of carbon present within the asteroid.
Further analysis of the sample has uncovered a rich presence of carbon, nitrogen, and organic compounds in Bennu’s dust. These elements are essential to the formation of the solar system and play a crucial role in our understanding of how Earth-like planets evolve. The study detailing these findings was published in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science.
One surprising discovery was the detection of magnesium-sodium phosphate within the sample, a compound crucial for biochemistry and potentially dissolved in water. The researchers believe that Bennu may have originated from a now-extinct primitive ocean world within our solar system. The sample consists mainly of clay minerals, including serpentine, resembling rocks found in midocean ridges on Earth where the mantle meets water.
Comparing the phosphate found in the Bennu sample to a sample from the asteroid Ryugu, collected by Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission, reveals purer and larger grains in Bennu’s compound. These findings point to a watery past for Bennu, suggesting it may have once been part of a wetter world that requires further investigation. The rocks collected from Bennu offer a glimpse into the early days of the solar system, dating back over 4.5 billion years.
Astronomers speculate that asteroids and comets like Bennu may have played a crucial role in delivering water and essential building blocks for life to Earth. Collecting and studying samples from asteroids like Bennu are crucial for unraveling the intricate processes that led to the formation of the solar system and the potential emergence of life on Earth. The abundance of material from Bennu will be distributed to labs worldwide for further study, providing new insights into the origin and evolution of Earth-like planets.