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Evidence for widespread hydrated minerals on asteroid (101955) Bennu
V E Hamilton1, A A Simon2, P R Christensen3
1Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA.
Nature Astronomy
|July 31, 2019
Summary
Early spectral data from the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission show abundant hydrated minerals on asteroid Bennu. These findings suggest Bennu could be a source of volatiles and organic chemistry for Earth.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrogeology
- Astrochemistry
Background:
- Near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu is a target of the OSIRIS-REx mission.
- Asteroids are potential carriers of volatiles and organic compounds to planets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze early spectral data from OSIRIS-REx to characterize the surface composition of Bennu.
- To investigate the presence and distribution of hydrated minerals and their implications for Bennu's origin and evolution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of near-infrared (0.4–2.4 micrometers) and thermal infrared spectral data from OSIRIS-REx.
- Comparison of Bennu's spectral features with known meteorite classes, particularly CM carbonaceous chondrites.
Main Results:
- Abundant hydrated minerals detected on Bennu's surface, indicated by a near-infrared absorption near 2.7 micrometers and specific thermal infrared spectral features.
- Spectral features are consistent with aqueously altered CM carbonaceous chondrites.
- No significant rotational variability in spectral features observed across the surface at scales of tens to hundreds of meters.
- Visible and near-infrared spectrum (0.4–2.4 micrometers) shows a featureless, blue (negative) slope.
Conclusions:
- Bennu's surface composition is rich in hydrated minerals, suggesting past aqueous alteration.
- Bennu may represent a class of primitive asteroids that delivered volatiles and organic chemistry to early Earth.
- Further study of Bennu can provide insights into the early solar system and the origins of life.
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