Findings from the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully returned to Earth on September 24, 2023, with an estimated 8.8 ounces of rocky material collected from the surface of asteroid Bennu. The sample is now being studied by scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and the preliminary findings are already revealing new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.
One of the most important findings is that the Bennu sample contains a wide variety of organic molecules, including amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. This suggests that asteroids like Bennu may have played a role in delivering the essential ingredients for life to Earth early in its history.
Scientists are also studying the Bennu sample to learn more about the asteroid's composition and history. They have found that Bennu is a very porous asteroid, with a surface that is covered in loose rocks and boulders. This suggests that Bennu is a relatively young asteroid, and that it has not been significantly altered by impacts or other geological processes.
The OSIRIS-REx sample is also providing insights into the potential hazards posed by asteroids. Scientists have found that Bennu contains a significant amount of water, which could be released in the form of steam if the asteroid were to impact Earth. This could pose a serious threat to life on Earth, and it is important to better understand the risks posed by asteroids like Bennu.
The OSIRIS-REx sample is a treasure trove of information about asteroids and the early solar system. Scientists will continue to study the sample for many years to come, and they expect to make many more important discoveries.
Here are some specific findings from the OSIRIS-REx sample that have been published in scientific papers so far:
- The sample contains a wide variety of organic molecules, including amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
- The sample is very porous, with a surface that is covered in loose rocks and boulders.
- The sample contains a significant amount of water.
- The sample contains minerals that are indicative of past hydrothermal activity.
- The sample contains materials that are thought to be from Bennu's interior, which could provide insights into the asteroid's formation and evolution.
These are just a few of the many findings that have been made from the OSIRIS-REx sample so far. Scientists are still studying the sample, and they expect to make many more important discoveries in the coming years.