Dr. Queenie Chan, a UK scientist from the Natural History Museum (NHM), was part of a select group that analyzed the first samples returned from asteroid Bennu by NASA’s Osiris-Rex mission. The black, extraterrestrial powder from Bennu is rich in carbon and water-laden minerals, opening doors to understanding the origins of Earth’s water and key components that may have initiated life. The NHM expert’s analysis focused on the importance of Bennu’s composition and its potential significance in Earth’s history.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft successfully retrieved the Bennu materials in October 2020 after a daring “high-five” maneuver with the asteroid, which was located 330 million km from Earth. These samples are currently under scrutiny in a specialized lab in Texas.

Preliminary analysis revealed that the Bennu samples contain a substantial amount of carbon, close to 5% by weight, signifying its importance in the study of celestial bodies. Complex organics and carbonates were also detected. However, one of the most significant findings is the water content within clay minerals found in the samples. This water, locked within the crystal structure, provides insights into how Earth acquired its water and, consequently, its habitability.

Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson expressed the mission’s broader significance in the context of understanding humanity’s place in the universe. While it’s clear that the mission has returned an abundant sample, the exact quantity from Bennu is yet to be confirmed, but it’s estimated to be around 250 grams.

The Bennu samples will be shared with researchers globally, with a portion coming to the UK for further study. Scientists aim to complete a range of studies by March and publish overview papers in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science. Nasa plans to preserve at least 70% of the sample for future generations of scientists to use in laboratories that do not yet exist. The Osiris-Rex mission promises to yield a wealth of knowledge about our solar system’s history and the origins of Earth itself.