Report by Alekhya Chavan
NASA, the US space agency, has revealed some exciting information about a mission called OSIRIS-REx “Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer”. This mission is all about understanding an asteroid named Bennu. Let’s dive into what they’ve discovered!
Asteroid Bennu: A Cosmic Mystery
Asteroids are small and large space rocks flying or moving on their own. One of these rocks is called Bennu, and it’s been quite a mystery for scientists because they wanted to know it’s composition, features and a lot more.
Bennu is a target for scientists due to its accessibility and its potential to reveal early solar system insights. Bennu’s age, estimated at 4.5 billion years, aligns with the age of the solar system and is determined through mineral analysis and dating techniques.
Thanks to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, we’re getting closer to understanding this ancient space traveler.
The Treasure Hunt: Carbon and Water
One of the things scientists discovered about Bennu is that it’s filled with two essential things: carbon and water. Now, why is that so exciting? Carbon is like a building block for life, and water, well, it’s something we can’t live without. Finding these on an asteroid is a bit like finding treasure in the vastness of space.
In the entire universe, wood is more scarce than diamonds.
The Spacecraft’s Journey
Scientists didn’t actually visit Bennu in-person. Instead, they sent a spacecraft to the asteroid. This spacecraft had a special tool called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). The spacecraft extended its sampling arm and gently touched the asteroid’s surface for about 6 seconds.
Collecting Samples
In October 2020, this spacecraft approached Bennu and made a brief contact with the asteroid’s surface. During this contact of six seconds, it released a burst of nitrogen gas which stirred up the surface and collect tiny pieces of Bennu that were safely placed in a sample return capsule.
Think of it as a small scoop of space dirt and rocks.
Bringing Space Rocks Home
After successfully collecting these samples, the spacecraft began its journey back to Earth. It traveled nearly 200 million miles to bring these precious samples home. On September 24, 2023, it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed safely in the Utah desert, US, where NASA’s team recovered it.
The Scientist’s Work Begins
These collected samples are now at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. More than 200 scientists from all over the world, including researchers from NASA and other space agencies, are diving into the analysis. They’re using special techniques, like chemical and mineralogical analysis, to learn about the composition and properties of Bennu.
Why study Bennu?
The main goal of studying Bennu and its samples is to understand the early solar system and how planets, including Earth, came to be. By looking at the carbon and water content in these samples, scientists hope to gain insights into the organic compounds present in the early solar system. These could provide clues about the origin of life on Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx mission is like opening a cosmic time capsule. It helps understand how our solar system, including Earth, came to be.
IMAGE CREDITS – @NASA_Johnson