NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has astounded scientists by returning with a wealth of asteroid samples from its rendezvous with Bennu.
What was initially seen as a challenging endeavor has now presented researchers with abundant material that promises interesting insights into the mysteries of the cosmos.
A Treasure Trove of Space Data
When OSIRIS-REx successfully collected a sample from asteroid Bennu in late September, it marked a historic achievement for NASA.
The mission's primary goal was to acquire a sample and safely transport it back to Earth for analysis. Little did scientists know that they would be greeted with an abundance of space samples.
Scientists were met with an unexpected sight upon opening the spacecraft's TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head, which contains the bulk of the Bennu asteroid sample.
IFLScience tells us that the inside of the canister lid and the TAGSAM itself were covered in what can only be described as "black dust and debris."
"The very best 'problem' to have is that there is so much material, it's taking longer than we expected to collect it," said Christopher Snead, deputy OSIRIS-REx curation lead at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
"There's a lot of abundant material outside the TAGSAM head that's interesting in its own right. It's really spectacular to have all that material there."
Delicate Analysis Process
The unexpected abundance of material has posed a unique challenge for scientists. While they had meticulously planned for the analysis of the Bennu sample, the sheer volume of material has required a more systematic approach.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the sample, NASA's researchers employ various cutting-edge techniques. This includes using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared measurements, and x-ray diffraction (XRD), all capable of delving deep into the composition of the material.
"The SEM will offer a chemical and morphological analysis, while the infrared measurements should provide information on whether the sample contains hydrated minerals and organic-rich particles," explained Lindsay Keller, an OSIRIS-REx sample analysis team member.
"The x-ray diffraction is sensitive to the different minerals in a sample and will give an inventory of the minerals and perhaps an indication of their proportions."
Scientists are gearing up to scrutinize the asteroid samples almost down to the atomic scale. It is a level of analysis that promises to unlock a wealth of information about the composition and history of Bennu, and by extension, the early solar system.
Bennu's Surprise Character
Bennu, initially thought to be a conglomeration of small debris held together by its gravitational pull, turned out to be more complex than anticipated.
Instead of a solid mass, OSIRIS-REx encountered a loose assemblage of material. This looseness, coupled with some material leaking out of TAGSAM before stowing, likely contributed to the unexpected abundance of samples.
Despite the challenge of sifting through this cosmic treasure trove, scientists are thrilled. Bennu's unique composition offers an unprecedented opportunity to delve into the intricacies of asteroids, potentially revealing clues about the formation of our solar system.
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