The Japanese probe Hayabusa 2 discovers a diamond-shaped asteroid

After a long journey of about four years, the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft recently arrived at its destination: a rhomboid asteroid of odd dimensions, which was named Ryugu. The goal now is to collect samples of the huge rock and bring them back to Earth for badysis by the Japanese Institute of Space Science and Astronautics (ISAS).

As revealed by the head of the mission, Dr. Makoto Yoshikawa, in an interview with the BBC, the study should begin with a superficial badysis. "Initially, we will carefully study the characteristics of the surface," Yoshikawa told the site. "Then we will make a touch – which means the collection of surface materials."

Subsequently, the ISAS team intends to use explosives to fire a projectile on the Ryugu. The idea is to bring the soil samples closer to the center of the space body. The "impactor"As we call it, consists of a copper probe that must produce a crater in the asteroid." Then our spacecraft will try to reach the crater in order to collect the underground materials, "said the scientist." But it will be a very big challenge. "This next phase is scheduled for mid-2019.

Why Ryugu?

In general, asteroids attract scientific interest by allowing insights into the formation and evolution of the cosmos. After all, these are remnants that date back to the origins of our solar system, formed about 4.6 billion years ago. There may be, for example, clues about the rise of life on Earth – in addition to precious metals, so the interest is also economic.

But there is something different about Ryugu. Basically, the format of the asteroid does not match the movement observed by the ISAS team. As Dr. Yoshikawa explained to the BBC, asteroids with a similar angular shape typically have a shorter revolution period (about three times) (rotation around the axis). In the case of Ryugu, however, it is 7.5 hours.

"Many scientists in our project think that rotation in the past was faster, slower [de alguma forma]"Says the scientist." We do not know why he slowed down, but that's a very interesting question. "In addition, Ryugu is a" C "type asteroid, relatively primitive standard and, as a rule, rich in organic and mineral elements hydrated – the giving even more scientific interest to the body.

The ISAS responses are expected to return to Earth, with Hayabusa 2, in 2020, after spending about a year and a half investigating Ryugu. The process should also include sending several probes, as well as a surface vehicle.

Source: BBC Science

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