Samples from the asteroid Bennu, brought to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, are causing a real stir among scientists. Since its arrival in September, the spacecraft has delivered precious pieces of the cosmos that are being closely examined, triggering a wave of surprises and questions.
The OSIRIS-REx mission, which began in 2018, was a true journey lasting almost two decades. The spacecraft left Earth towards Bennu, an asteroid belonging to the Apollo group and with an orbit close to Earth’s. After a successful arrival at the rocky surface in 2020, the probe dove half a meter into its surface, collecting samples that were later delivered to Earth in late September.
Now, scientists have the first detailed observation of Bennu, revealing boulders measuring millimeters to centimeters in diameter, with a rough, sticky texture. Spectroscopic analyzes carried out on December 11 provided a fascinating look at the composition of the samples, revealing hydrated, organic-rich remnants dating back to the beginnings of the solar system.
Dante Lauretta, the mission’s principal investigator, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We definitely have hydrated, organic-rich remnants of the early solar system, which is exactly what we expected when we first conceived of this mission almost 20 years ago.”
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However, a mystery persists. The predominantly blue spectral signature of the Bennu samples leaves scientists perplexed. The hypothesis of greater presence of water in space rocks challenges researchers’ previous conceptions, adding a new layer of cosmic intrigue.
In addition to the enigma of the blue signature, the richness in carbon and organic material, along with the presence of magnesium, sodium and phosphorus, further increase the unknowns. The material analyzed is only a fraction of the total, due to defects in the sample capsule that prevent complete access. Innovative tools and tweezers are being employed to extract samples from the partially opened flap. The final results of the analyses, coming from the Reflectance Experiment Laboratory (RELAB) in Rhode Island and the Natural History Museum in London, will be revealed in the spring of the northern hemisphere during a scientific meeting.
Amid this cosmic exploration, scientists are eagerly awaiting to unravel the mysteries contained in the Bennu samples, which could provide crucial clues about the formation of our solar system.
2023-12-17 04:20:00
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