2023-07-29 21:51:37
A group of Canadian scientists are eagerly waiting to receive samples from an asteroid that was picked up nearly 500,000 km from Earth.
These samples were collected by the OSIRIS-REx space probe, which carries lasers made in Canada. These lasers helped guide the device and create a detailed map of the asteroid known as Benu, or Bennu in English.
Benu, formerly known as NEO 101955, has a diameter of about 500 meters and travels about 450,000 km from Earth. The OSIRIS-REx probe orbited less than 200 meters from its surface to pick up samples on the fly that it is bringing back to Earth. She is expected to jettison the capsule containing the samples on September 24.
“In six weeks, we have collected data that gives us the most detailed model of an asteroid ever,” says Michael Daly of York University, who led the team that designed the lasers. One can observe the fractures and the details of the stones. We are very proud of it. »
Bénou was chosen for several reasons.
The asteroid is located at a reasonable distance from Earth. It’s wide enough to accommodate the orbit of a space probe — though OSIRIS has set a mark for the smallest orbit on record. It is considered “primitive”, having undergone very, very little modification since the beginning of its existence, billions of years ago.
Dominique Weis of the University of British Columbia points out that examining the samples will open a window into the early days of the solar system. “The idea is to go back as far as possible in time,” she says.
Alan Hildebrand, a geoscientist at the University of Calgary, says examining pieces of Benu should help to learn more about the formation of the Earth and the solar system.
“The Earth was formed by the fusion of several asteroids, he mentions. Studying asteroids helps our understanding of the origins of our planet. »
Bénou could help to understand how the earth’s crust was formed, adds Professor Hildebrand.
The asteroid comes from a region of space that cooled long before the central part of what became the solar system. Materials were “frozen” long before they could be changed by heat. Collecting the samples directly from the asteroid’s surface allows scientists to examine them without considering the effects the meteorites experience as they pass through Earth’s atmosphere.
“The rocks of Bénou are from an older part of the solar system, says Professor Hildebrand. We can examine the series [de matériaux] without the atmosphere filter. »
This is only the third time that scientists have had the chance to obtain samples from the asteroid. The two kilograms of rocks and dust, however, constitute the heaviest load of material ever collected.
“We will have more materials to do more things,” comments Professor Hildebrand.
Canadian laboratories can receive samples from Bénou because Canada has invested $61 million in the OSIRIS program. However, before a lab can start operating its spectrometer, NASA wants to make sure it knows how to handle the samples it receives.
“We trained, and trained, and trained again, reassures Professor Weis. We have developed a method to be as precise as possible. »
The OSIRIS probe has already been the subject of dozens of scientific articles. The arrival of the samples from Bénou should bring out several more.
The renamed probe OSIRIS-APEX has enough fuel to return to its task. Its next destination is Apophis, a near-Earth asteroid about 370 meters in diameter that will be located 32,000 km from Earth in 2029. It is expected to use its rocket engines to lift particles from the Earth’s soil and subsoil. asteroid.
She will then transmit the information to Earth, her last mission.
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