Primordial Rock
In 2019, Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer collected samples from the near-Earth asteroid Ryugu – scientifically known as 162172 Ryugu.
Following the probe’s return in December 2020, scientists have thoroughly examined the space dust it collected to learn more about the asteroid’s composition, Smithsonian Magazine reported.
Astronomers have particularly focused on Ryugu because the space rock has remained unchanged since the solar system’s formation some 4.5 billion years ago.
In one study, a research team analyzed the 5.4-gram sample and found that Ryugu has minerals and compounds previously seen in other meteorites on Earth. However, they also documented the presence of organic and water-bearing molecules. Among them were volatiles such as hydroxyls – made of oxygen and hydrogen atoms – which most likely originated in the outer solar system.
In the second study, researchers led by Toru Yada discovered that the celestial body is so dark that it only reflects two to three percent of the light that hits it. Their results also showed that Ryugu was 50 percent more porous than other carbonaceous meteorites that hit Earth.
Both papers also confirm that the celestial body is carbonaceous – meaning rich in carbon – and should be classified as a CI chondrite. These types of meteorites have a composition very similar to that of the solar photosphere, which means they are the most primitive of all known space rocks, according to Science Alert.
Despite the fascinating findings, the authors noted that there is more to learn about the celestial body, including its age and when it encountered water.
They also hope that further research could provide new clues about how the solar system formed.
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