Decoding Bennu: Understanding the solar system and life’s origins

Abstract

The OSIRIS-REx mission to an asteroid named Bennu collected a sample of its regolith—loose material on the surface of an asteroid—and returned to Earth in September 2023. The successful return and initial research on the sample revealed much data about the elemental composition of Bennu’s regolith. The findings offer new insights into the fundamental building blocks of life, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of life and our solar system. The sample contained organic compounds, key to the origin of life, and also elements like iron and magnesium in abundance. Mineral analysis showed the presence of water-rich minerals, a key factor in understanding the origins of our oceans. Analysis of the data helps further the understanding of the origin of our oceans. By understanding the composition of asteroids like Bennu that trace their origins to the early solar system, we can understand the conditions prevalent in those times. And most importantly, understanding the composition of Bennu also gives us key insights into the origin of life because of the discovery of organic compounds in the regolith. Gathering asteroid samples holds much importance in expanding our knowledge in multiple fields and in shedding on many unanswered questions regarding the origin of life, origin of oceans and understanding of the early solar system.