Scientists take a closer look at the rock from outer space and they are stumped. Here’s why

Over a month after NASA revealed the sample collected from asteroid Bennu, scientists are astonished by the discovery of a surprisingly rich array of carbon-bearing molecules in the rock from outer space. The revelation was shared during a meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

Dante Lauretta, the mission’s principal investigator and professor of planetary science and cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona, expressed excitement about the findings, stating, “We definitely have hydrated, organic-rich remnants from the early solar system, which is exactly what we were hoping when we first conceived this mission almost 20 years ago.”

The sample retrieved from Bennu, a 3-billion-year-old asteroid, exhibits a wealth of carbon and organic molecules. The extraction process faced challenges as the probe gathered so much material that particles began leaking out of the sample collector’s head. Despite this, scientists managed to collect 70.3 grams of the sample using tweezers to pick tiny rocks through a partially open flap. An additional 30 to 70 grams of rock is believed to remain inside the container, awaiting extraction in the coming year.

The particles are described as very dark in color, composed of centimeter- and millimeter-sized “hummocky boulders” with a rough “cauliflower-like texture.” The material is deemed the “largest pristine reservoir of this material on Earth,” and its diversity of organic compounds holds significance for understanding complex space-based chemistry and potential links to the origins of life on Earth.

Initial analysis suggests that the sample contains up to 4.7% carbon by mass. Surprising findings include the presence of meter-long veins of white minerals initially thought to be calcium carbonate or limestone. However, under an electron microscope, the white material resembled skin and reflected light, unlike calcium carbonate. The team also identified magnesium, sodium, and phosphate.

These discoveries are considered a head-scratcher, prompting questions about the nature of the material. The overall composition closely resembles the ratio of elements seen in the Sun, providing valuable insights into the composition of the early solar system and the potential role of asteroids in shaping the conditions for life on Earth.