Why Are NASA’s Samples from Bennu Important?

Bennu asteroid, which has a 1 in 2,700 or 0.037% chance of hitting our planet in 2182, has been on the agenda for a while. The spacecraft sent by NASA to this asteroid OSIRIS-RExIt sent information that it landed on the target asteroid in 2020. The other day, our spacecraft returned to our planet safely with its samples and landed in Utah, USA.

First time On September 8, 2016 target of the launched OSIRIS-REx bennu The asteroid was thought to be 4.5 billion years old. We’re glad he returned safely, but many people don’t know exactly why the samples that came with this spacecraft are important. We will explain this.

What will success after 7 years bring to us?

Bennu asteroid, as we said before 4 and a half billion years old. At least that’s what scientists’ calculations show. This indicates that the asteroid was formed at the time when our solar system began to form. This is the solar system antediluvian materials and amino acids can be found on an asteroid means.

OSIRIS-REx The intermediary was also sent to pick up these materials. The materials, which are strictly protected to prevent contact with substances in the atmosphere, will be sent to different research centers for examination. For some of them to be examined in the coming years will be stored is also stated.

In order to better understand the importance of asteroids, we can look at the following definition by Scientist Fred Jourdan: “They are the objects that enable the formation of planets. first bricks.”

The materials of this sample, weighing between 149 and 350 grams, are not much different from meteorites that hit the Earth. So what makes Bennu special?

entering our planet’s atmosphere meteoritesAccording to scientists, it is exposed to materials in the atmosphere, and therefore – although those that fall on our planet are examined – it is not possible to examine its pure form in space. When they fall to the ground, they are exposed to things like soil and snow. For this reason bennu The asteroid is important because it has been examined in situ and its materials still maintain their structures in space.

So why Bennu and not another asteroid?

First of all, Bennu is very important to our planet. close. In addition, its movement around the Sun is similar to that of our planet. Additionally, Bennu’s size compared to other small asteroids because it’s a little bit bigger Landing of the spacecraft is also easier.

Like wine aged Bennu, as we can say, contains very old material due to its age. It is predicted that these materials may be even older than our Solar system. Therefore, the Bennu samples were actually excavated. historical documents can be seen as. Of course, we will see these after the investigations.

It may not have come into contact with our planet, but did this asteroid remain untouched in space?

Frankly, Bennu’s 1 or 2 billion years It is thought to have been involved in a major collision at first, but scientists believe that the originality of the structure not significantly impaired it states.

In addition, NASA states that thanks to Bennu, the role that asteroids play in delivering the materials that enable the formation of life to the planet can be understood.

For from Bennu It is highly likely that there will be organic molecules rich in carbon in the samples taken. Apart from carbon, the minerals that make up the asteroid in water It is thought to be.

In terms of history it is like this rich molecules Bennu, which contains and various materials, can also accelerate future space tourism and resource (fuel) research. It is stated by NASA that many companies are working on extracting these resources from asteroids rich in iron and aluminum. In this aspect asteroids, they may serve as a gas station in the future. Another important thing that can be taken from here is that the Bennu sample fresh from space may have a key role in our understanding of other asteroids.

Let’s briefly explain the last item, the Yarkovsky effect.

relatively small astronomical objectsIt rotates on its own axis, just like our planet. That’s why those who do this around the Sun or other stars have a light and a dark side. The side exposed to light also reflects some of the incoming photons and absorbs others. That’s why the illuminated side gets hot.

heated side when it gets dark As it cools, these absorbed photons are released back. Meanwhile, force is applied to the asteroid depending on its direction of rotation, and in this context, the asteroid either accelerates or slows down. OSIRIS-REx The intermediary was sent to closely monitor this effect and see to what extent it was realized. If this investigation, carried out specifically for Bennu, allows the orbits of other asteroids to be predicted, they can see which asteroid will pass close to our planet on which date.

For example, Bennu in the year 2135 It is predicted to be closer to the Earth than the Moon. 2175 and 2195 According to NASA, the years will be even closer than that. Although it seems unlikely that it will hit our planet, those who will live at that time will be able to find out how to escape the effects of other asteroids by looking at the current OSIRIS-REx study.

All these factors and other technical details that we have not mentioned make the OSIRIS-REx project critical in the field of space studies and space history.