Asteroid Bennu Brought Life and Water to Earth, Predates Solar System: Study

Researchers from Curtin University, as part of an international team, are studying samples from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu to gain insights into the early history of our solar system. These samples, collected by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, could hold clues about the origins of water and life on Earth.

The scientists believe that Bennu likely predates the formation of the solar system and may have played a role in delivering essential elements like water to Earth. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which spanned seven years and cost over a billion dollars, successfully returned these samples to Earth in September of last year. The specimens have since been distributed to various research labs around the globe, including Curtin University.

A recent study published in *Meteoritics and Planetary Science* has unveiled some remarkable findings from the samples. The researchers found a mix of dark particles, ranging from dust-sized fragments to pieces as large as 3.5 cm, along with lighter materials and stones with brighter veins and crusts.

According to Associate Professor Nick Timms, a member of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Team, the composition of Bennu is among the most chemically primitive ever known, resembling that of the sun’s visible surface. This suggests that Bennu has undergone different processes than planets, affecting the abundance of certain elements compared to the sun.

The analysis also revealed the presence of hydrated phyllosilicates, minerals that form in the presence of water, as well as carbon-rich material. This finding supports the theory that asteroids like Bennu may have delivered water and the building blocks of life to Earth.

In addition to these components, the researchers were surprised to discover magnesium-sodium phosphates, indicating that Bennu had been exposed to chemical environments, possibly involving water. The team also identified trace minerals that provide clues about the temperature, pressure, and other conditions Bennu experienced over billions of years, offering a glimpse into the asteroid’s evolution and the early processes that shaped the solar system.

One of the most fascinating discoveries is the presence of presolar grains in the sample, which formed before the solar system existed. These ancient grains offer a detailed look into the lives of stars that existed long before our solar system, providing a rich “biography” of the universe’s early history.