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The OSIRIS-REx space probe detected water in the clays constituting the asteroid Bennu. Data obtained using two spectrometers of the probe revealed the presence of molecules containing bound oxygen and hydrogen atoms. These are called hydroxyl.
The OSIRIS-REx mission team suspects that this hydroxyl group "exists globally in the asteroid in the clay minerals that carry water, which means that, at some point, the rocky material of Bennu interacted with the water", Says the statement issued yesterday by NASA.
The presence of hydroxyl in the asteroid confirms that Bennu is a remnant of the early formation of the solar system.
Just what shape is the asteroid #Bennu? Now we know, thanks to our @OSIRISREx This new shape model was created from the spacecraft's PolyCam camera as it approached Bennu. It displays features as small as six meters: https://t.co/HnK1yoaXN4 # AGU18 pic.twitter.com/XaYuiI0UWY
– NASA (@NASA) December 10, 2018
"The presence of materials hydrated by the asteroid confirms that Bennu This is an excellent specimen where to study the composition of volatile compounds and primitive organic compounds, "he said in a statement from NASA Amy Simon, scientist of the instrument OVIRS.
"In 2023, when the mission returns to Earth with samples of this material, scientists will receive a treasure of new hidden information about the history and evolution of our solar system," Simon added.
The surface of this asteroid is a mixture of very stony regions. the amount of stones is greater than previously thought.
Image: NASA
According to scientists, the 400 meters of Bennu make it too small to hold liquid water at all times. However, recent discoveries indicate that, in the past, he had separated from a much larger asteroid that would have done so.
The OSIRIS-REx mission is currently in orbit around this asteroid at a minimum distance of 7 kilometers. This helps to correctly determine the mass of the asteroid.
DO NOT GET LOST: NASA arrives at Bennu, the asteroid potentially dangerous for the Earth
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