A treasure chest from the early solar system has finally been pried open, revealing a trove of ancient dust that could rewrite our understanding of planetary formation and the origins of life.
After months of meticulous work, engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center have successfully unlocked a canister containing precious samples from the asteroid Bennu. The canister, which landed in the Utah desert in September 2023, held material collected from Bennu’s surface by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2020.
The opening of the canister marks a major scientific breakthrough, offering scientists a direct glimpse into the composition of a 4.6-billion-year-old asteroid. Bennu is believed to be a remnant of the early solar system, and its pristine samples could hold clues to the conditions that existed before the formation of planets like Earth.
Unlocking the Secrets of Bennu
It’s open! It’s open! And ready for its closeup. After successfully removing two final fasteners on Jan. 10, members of the @astromaterials team photographed the #OSIRISREx asteroid sample with a special technique to achieve super high-res images. https://t.co/bBrfFT3FoR pic.twitter.com/NTGMVFZCP3
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) January 19, 2024
The canister, known as the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), was designed to collect a small amount of Bennu’s surface material by briefly touching the asteroid. However, the mechanism became jammed, preventing scientists from accessing the full sample.
For months, NASA engineers worked tirelessly to free the remaining material. Finally, on January 10, 2024, they succeeded in removing the two final stubborn fasteners, allowing them to access the precious dust.
“It’s open! It’s open!” NASA’s planetary science division excitedly declared on Twitter. “And ready for its closeup.”
A Glimpse into the Early Solar System
Scientists have discovered samples from Bennu which are completely untouched and unique, unlike anything they have ever studied before. These samples provide an unprecedented opportunity for scientists to study the early solar system.
Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator at the University of Arizona, characterized the samples as a “time capsule,” which could potentially unlock the mysteries of Bennu’s formation and evolution, as well as revealing the origins of life itself.
What's Next for the Bennu Samples?
The Bennu samples will now be meticulously analyzed by scientists around the world. They will be studied using a variety of techniques, including mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction.
Scientists are hoping to gain more insight into Bennu’s composition, its history, and its possible contribution to the formation of the solar system. Additionally, they may be able to identify organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life, in the samples collected.
The opening of the Bennu canister marks a significant milestone in our pursuit to comprehend our position in the universe. It attests to the resourcefulness and persistence of scientists and engineers, and it offers the potential to uncover a plethora of new knowledge about the early solar system and the origins of life.
Additional Information:
- The OSIRIS-REx mission was launched in 2016 and arrived at Bennu in 2018.
- The spacecraft spent two years studying the asteroid before collecting a sample in 2020.
- The Bennu samples are expected to be studied for decades to come.
I hope this article gives you a good overview of the recent news about the opening of the Bennu canister. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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