NASA reveals asteroid samples with carbon and water evidence.
OAN’s Abril Elfi
4:25 PM – Thursday, October 12, 2023
NASA shared glimpses of the rocks and dust brought back from an asteroid, showing evidence of carbon and water.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson said the samples brought back a large amount of carbon. Dr. Jason Dworkin, OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland said that the sample was roughly 5% carbon by weight which reportedly makes it one of the highest concentrations of carbon to be studied in an asteroid.
“Far exceeding our goal of 60 grams, this is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth,” Nelson said. “The carbon and water molecules are exactly the kinds of material that we wanted to find. They’re crucial elements in the formation of our own planet. And they’re going to help us determine the origin of elements that could have led to life.”
The sample, recovered by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission from the 4.5 billion-year-old near-Earth asteroid, Bennu, in October 2020, landed on Earth in a capsule on September 24th in the Utah desert.
Scientists have been hard at work since then, investigating the quantity of material, more than they expected, just within the canister’s lid to conduct an early examination. The results of that research, as well as the first glimpse at the sample, were revealed on Wednesday during a live NASA broadcast from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and it was reported to be the most significant asteroid sample ever returned to Earth.
Most of the samples brought back from Bennu have not been publicly released because they’re locked inside the TAGSAM device, which researchers have to take apart methodically.
Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, said that they are optimistic about having a pretty good estimate of the entire mass of the sample within two weeks or so.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Some BLM chapters across the nation have come out in support with Hamas terrorists.
As Israel remains under attack, we have seen many pro-Palestinian protests including one taking place in New York.
Experts now indicate the war in Israel will cause a spike in oil prices posing potential risks for consumers.
Representative Nicole Malliotakis weighs in on Steve Scalise’s speakership bid.
Google said on Thursday that it will defend users of generative artificial-intelligence systems in its Google Cloud and Workspace platforms.
China has published proposed security requirements for firms offering services powered by generative artificial intelligence.
Internet companies Google, Amazon and Cloudflare say they have weathered the internet’s largest-known denial of service attack.
Samsung said its preliminary third-quarter profit dropped by a smaller-than-expected 78%.
rnrn
What is the significance of finding carbon and water molecules in the asteroid sample collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission, and how could it contribute to our understanding of the origin of life?
Successfully collected a substantial amount of carbon-rich material. This is a major achievement for the OSIRIS-REx mission and provides invaluable insights into the composition and formation of our planet.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the significance of the carbon and water molecules found in the asteroid sample. These elements play a crucial role in the formation of Earth and could potentially shed light on the origin of life. The high concentration of carbon in the sample, approximately 5% by weight, makes it one of the largest carbon-rich asteroid samples ever studied.
The successful return of the sample from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu is a culmination of the OSIRIS-REx mission’s seven-year journey. After its recovery in October 2020, the sample landed on Earth in a capsule on September 24th, making its way to the Utah desert.
Since then, scientists have been diligently working to analyze the sample and make groundbreaking discoveries. The early examination of the canister’s lid has revealed more material than anticipated, fueling excitement and anticipation for further research. The results of this initial investigation were shared during a live NASA broadcast from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, further highlighting the significance of this achievement.
It is important to note that most of the samples retrieved from Bennu have not been publicly released. These samples are securely locked inside the TAGSAM device and require meticulous disassembly by researchers. This process ensures that the samples are handled with precision and care to preserve their integrity for future scientific study.
Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator for the OSIRIS-REx mission, expressed optimism about the ongoing research and the potential discoveries that lie ahead. This sample represents a treasure trove of information that can provide valuable insights into the composition, evolution, and history of our solar system.
The successful collection of a substantial carbon-rich asteroid sample marks a major milestone in space exploration. This achievement opens up new avenues for scientific research and deepens our understanding of the cosmos. The knowledge gained from these samples will pave the way for future missions and contribute to our overall understanding of our place in the universe.
In conclusion, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has successfully collected and returned a significant carbon-rich asteroid sample. The findings from this sample hold immense value in unraveling the mysteries of our solar system and the origins of life on Earth. This achievement showcases the exceptional capabilities of human space exploration and underlines the importance of continuous scientific endeavors in expanding our knowledge of the universe.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...