Ancient Asteroid Dust: Unlocking the Origins of Life
NASA’s Mission to Bennu
In 2016, NASA launched its OSIRIS-REx mission to the ancient asteroid Bennu, with the aim of retrieving samples of rock and dust. These samples could potentially shed light on the origins of life on Earth and the formation of our solar system.
Bennu: A Time Capsule from the Solar System’s Infancy
Bennu is believed to have formed within ten million years of the solar system’s creation, making its composition a pristine record of that era. Studies of its samples could reveal the presence of organic molecules, the building blocks of life, which may have been carried to Earth by asteroids billions of years ago.
Challenges and Triumphs of the Sample Return
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft faced numerous challenges in its journey to Bennu. Its initial images revealed a surface covered in boulders, making a safe landing difficult. After months of mapping, a suitable site named “Nightingale” was identified.
In October 2020, the spacecraft approached Bennu and used nitrogen gas to dislodge dust and rocks, which were collected by the probe. After a quick withdrawal, OSIRIS-REx began its two-year journey back to Earth.
Historic Landing and Safekeeping
On September 24, 2023, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft released the capsule containing the asteroid samples. The capsule re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at incredible speeds and landed safely in the Utah Test and Training Range.
The capsule was transported to a clean room to prevent contamination. Its contents will be cataloged and analyzed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Scientific Implications
The asteroid samples hold immense scientific value. They could provide insights into:
- The composition of the early solar system
- The origins of organic molecules
- The role of asteroids in delivering life-essential compounds to Earth
- The formation and evolution of planets
Continuing the Journey
While the OSIRIS-REx mission to Bennu has concluded, the spacecraft’s journey continues. It will move on to explore another asteroid, Apophis, providing further opportunities to study our cosmic origins.
Additional Questions Answered
-
What is the significance of Bennu’s age? Bennu is older than Earth and has likely retained its original composition, preserving a record of the solar system’s early history.
-
How did OSIRIS-REx collect samples from Bennu? It used nitrogen gas to dislodge dust and rocks, which were then collected by the probe.
-
What is the estimated weight of the asteroid dust samples? Approximately 8.8 ounces.