It’s been a year since NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully delivered the largest sample of asteroid Bennu to Earth on September 24, 2023.
Bennu offers interesting clues about the possible origins of life on Earth
Since then, the study of the sample, under the guidance of OSIRIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lauretta, professor of planetary sciences at the University of Arizona, has revealed interesting clues about the early solar system and the possible origins of life on Earth
The successful delivery of 4.3 ounces (122 grams) of material from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu it marked a pivotal moment in space exploration. The mission collected more than double the initial requirement of 2 ounces, or 60 grams, of the asteroid’s surface material. Initial examinations of the material revealed crucial information about the composition of theasteroid. The researchers identified significant quantities of carbon-based compounds and hydrated minerals in the sample, supporting hypotheses about the potential role of asteroids in bringing components essential for life to the early Earth.
Scientists also discovered the presence of sodium magnesium phosphate in the sample, a specific phosphate mineral that was not captured during remote sensing of the asteroid. This suggests that Bennu’s origins may be more complex than initially thought. This also suggests that the asteroid may have originated from a larger, water-rich celestial body.
“One year after OSIRIS-REx returned its sample to Earth, I am amazed by the discoveries we have made,” Lauretta said.
“Finding organic compounds and signs of a watery past on Bennu brings us closer to understanding the origins of our solar system and the chemistry that may have triggered life on Earth. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply connected we are to the Universe.”
While most of the asteroid’s material remains under careful care at NASA’s specialized facilities, some portions have been allocated to major research institutions, including the U of A.
Select museums across the United States are now displaying fragments of the extraterrestrial material, as part of an initiative to encourage greater public engagement with this scientific breakthrough. The U of A’s Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is one of three locations in the United States to display a piece of Bennu.
The journey of OSIRIS-REx has exceeded our greatest expectations, thanks in large part to the dedication and intuition of the students who have been at the center of this mission,” said Lauretta. “As a university-led project, we were able to directly engage students in groundbreaking discoveries.
These discoveries not only expand our scientific knowledge, but also show the unique role a university can play in advancing space exploration, fostering a hands-on learning environment that prepares the next generation to lead the future of planetary science.”
The scope of the OSIRIS-REx mission has expanded beyond its initial objectives. The spacecraft, now renamed OSIRIS-APEX, has embarked on a new mission to study the near-Earth asteroid Apophis. This extended mission is led by Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, an associate professor at the university’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
The OSIRIS-APEX mission aims to observe Apophis during the asteroid’s close approach to Earth in 2029, which could provide unprecedented data on interactions between near-Earth objects and Earth’s gravitational field.
The study of Apophis has particular significance for planetary defense strategies. As a representative asteroid of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects, Apophis could provide critical data for the development of future planetary protection measures.
Following the return of the Bennu sample last year, the U of A also founded the interdisciplinary Arizona Astrobiology Center to connect experts from various fields and collaborate on investigations into the origins of life on Earth and its potential existence on other worlds.
The center will also explore the relevance of discoveries about the origins of life to different cultures and traditions around the world. The center recently received a $1 million donation from Eugene Jhong, a retired Google software developer turned philanthropist, to support its work.
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