Bennu Sample

In recent news, the groundbreaking OSIRIS-REx mission has unveiled remarkable insights about the enigmatic Bennu asteroid, offering a glimpse into the distant past of our solar system. This mission has made history by bringing back the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample to Earth.

Contents

Initial Studies Results

Out of this World Origins

Bennu: A small, near-Earth asteroid that periodically comes close to our planet, orbiting us every six years.
A 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Relic: Bennu is a precious time capsule from the early days of the solar system, providing a unique window into its formation.
Witnessed It All: This ancient asteroid has borne witness to the solar system’s evolution and carries secrets from its infancy.
Composition Clues: Bennu’s current composition has been established within the first 10 million years of the solar system’s formation.
Compelling Evidence: Initial studies have unearthed high-carbon content and water-bearing clay minerals on Bennu’s surface.

The Significance

OSIRIS-REx Sample: A Treasure Trove

Biggest Carbon-Rich Sample: OSIRIS-REx has successfully delivered the most extensive carbon-rich asteroid sample ever collected and returned to Earth.
Unraveling Life Origins: This remarkable sample holds the potential to provide invaluable insights into the origins of life on our planet and beyond, benefiting future generations.

How OSIRIS-REx Made It Happen

OSIRIS-REx Mission: Pioneering the Way

Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx): This mission, the first of its kind in the United States, was designed to collect a sample from an asteroid.
Mission Kick-off: Launched on September 8, 2016, OSIRIS-REx embarked on its epic journey to Bennu.
Sample Collection: Three years ago, the mission successfully collected samples from Bennu’s surface.
Return to Earth: Anticipation builds as OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to return to Earth on September 24, 2023, with the primary purpose of delivering Bennu material.
Post Drop-off Exploration: Following the sample drop-off, the mission will shift its focus to the study of asteroid Apophis.

In-Depth Analysis

“Quick-Look” Analyses: Initial examinations of the Bennu material have been conducted, revealing exciting findings.
Tools of the Trade: Scientists used a range of tools, including scanning electron microscopes for image collection, infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction, and chemical element analysis.
Computed Topography: A 3D computer model of a Bennu particle has been created, highlighting its diverse interior composition, including evidence of abundant carbon and water.

Fascinating Facts

A Legacy of Sample Retrieval

Decades in the Making: The practice of sample retrieval dates back to 1969, with NASA’s Apollo 11 mission marking the first successful landing on the Moon.
Continued Ambition: Subsequent missions, spanning to the Moon and beyond, have grown in ambition over the decades, culminating in the OSIRIS-REx mission.