Unlocking the Secrets of Our Solar System
Researchers at Curtin University are analyzing some of the most well-preserved asteroid samples ever collected, providing valuable insights into planet formation and the origin of life. These samples, returned by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, are remnants of a 4.5 billion-year-old celestial body, which was destroyed in a cosmic collision.
Salts and the Story of Space
The research team identified a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, and chlorides. One of the most surprising discoveries was halite (sodium chloride)—the same salt found in Earth's oceans. According to Associate Professor Nick Timms, these minerals likely formed from the evaporation of ancient brines, similar to salt deposits on Earth.
Cosmic Brines and the Building Blocks of Life
Studying the mineral composition of Bennu's parent body could reveal clues about ancient water activity in space. On Earth, evaporite minerals and brines are known to support organic molecule development, suggesting that Bennu's parent body may have once had conditions suitable for life's building blocks.
Preserving Pristine Cosmic Evidence
To prevent contamination, the OSIRIS-REx samples were sealed and nitrogen-purged upon arrival on Earth. Curtin’s John de Laeter Centre, equipped with $50 million worth of advanced analytical tools, was selected to verify the extraterrestrial nature of these salts. Associate Professor Will Rickard emphasized that these samples provide uncontaminated evidence of early solar system phenomena.
Implications for Icy Worlds
These findings could help scientists explore icy bodies beyond Earth, such as Saturn's moon Enceladus and the dwarf planet Ceres, both of which have subsurface brine oceans. While Bennu itself is lifeless, this research raises the question: Could other icy worlds support life?
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