NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which was tasked with searching for clues about the origin of life on Earth, has discovered remains rich in organic matter from the time of the early solar system. In addition, they found an unknown substance containing an unusual combination of magnesium, sodium and phosphorus.
Regarding the discovery, Dante Lauretta, the mission’s principal investigator, said at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference that when they conceived the idea of this mission 20 years ago, it was because they strongly believed in the possibility of finding wet areas. , an organic-rich remnant from the early solar system, has now been achieved.
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The professor of planetary sciences and cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona added that the pieces of the 3-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu that have been found so far are particles rich in carbon and organic materials. The particles obtained from the outer shell of the capsule that stores the samples are particularly dark in color and consist of “convex stones” of centimeter and millimeter sizes with a “rough, cauliflower-like texture.” Interestingly, they stick to any surface they come into contact with.
Prior to discovery, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which was designed for a brief contact with Bennu lasting six seconds, unexpectedly plunged 0.5 meters to the asteroid’s surface for 17 seconds, retrieving more material than planned. However, technical challenges arose at this stage, as two faulty fasteners prevented removal of the sample collection cap, and most of the collected material was trapped in the head.
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By the way, the substance contains a high percentage of magnesium, sodium and phosphorus, which causes a major headache for scientists. So it is no wonder that the head of the expedition also expressed his astonishment at this discovery.
“I’ve been studying meteorites for a long time and have never encountered anything like this before. That’s abandoned the lesson for now. What is this material?”
Loretta said at the scientific conference.
The mystery has not yet been solved, so everyone can only guess what this mysterious substance actually is.
If you’re wondering what asteroid Bennu actually looks like, watch the video below!
source: Live Science, rocket)
