NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has finally revealed the first high-resolution images of the Bennu asteroid samples. These images were released more than three months after the samples were brought back to Earth. The delay was caused by two fasteners that were holding the sampler lid in place, which were only opened on January 10.
The long-awaited images show black dust and rocks, measuring up to 1 cm in size. While they may appear ordinary, it is important to remember that these materials have remained untouched for approximately 4.5 billion years. They have the potential to provide valuable insights into the origins of our Solar System.
The sample was dropped off during OSIRIS-REx’s flyby of Earth on September 24. Although the outer capsule opened easily, granting scientists access to 70 grams of asteroid dust, the main TAGSAM head, which contained the majority of the sample, remained tightly sealed despite the team’s best efforts.
Now that the TAGSAM head is open, the team will spend the next few weeks determining the mass of the final sample they have been able to access. The image of the open sampler was captured by Erika Blumenfeld and Joe Aebersold from NASA’s Advanced Imaging and Visualization of Astromaterials (AIVA) team.
The next step for the team is to remove the round metal collar seen in the image and prepare to transfer the remaining sample from the TAGSAM head into pie-wedge sample trays. These trays will be photographed, and the sample will be weighed, packed, and stored at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Once a full catalog of Bennu samples is released later this year, scientists from around the world will have the opportunity to request access to study or display these samples. It is worth noting that 75 percent of the sample will be stored for future analysis.
Astronomer Dante Lauretta from the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory expressed his excitement about the achievement, stating, “Finally having the TAGSAM head open and full access to the returned Bennu samples is a monumental achievement that reflects the unwavering dedication and ingenuity of our team. This success reaffirms the significance of OSIRIS-REx and our commitment to advancing our understanding of the cosmos. We eagerly anticipate the next chapter as we share these precious samples with the global scientific community and continue our journey of discovery.”
Following this milestone, the OSIRIS-REx mission has been renamed OSIRIS-APEX and is currently en route to another asteroid called Apophis. The rendezvous with Apophis is scheduled to take place in 2029.
The release of these high-resolution images marks a significant step forward in our exploration of asteroids and the origins of our Solar System. The scientific community eagerly awaits the opportunity to study these precious samples and unravel the mysteries they hold. As OSIRIS-APEX continues its journey, we can only imagine what new discoveries lie ahead in our quest for knowledge about the cosmos.