MONTREAL — Recent research on a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu is providing valuable insights into its formation and the broader context of our solar system. This small portion of material, retrieved by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, is expected to arrive in Canada soon, following its arrival on Earth in September 2023.
The studies, published in the journals Nature Astronomy and Nature Geoscience, include contributions from Canadian scholars. They reveal that while Bennu is classified as a near-Earth asteroid, its composition indicates that it originated from a parent asteroid that has materials sourced from various parts of the solar system. Dr. Patrick Hill, program scientist at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), stated, "What they’ve done is they’ve looked at the origin and the formation and evolution of the Bennu sample to understand its history."
As Canada prepares to receive its share of this celestial bounty, it marks a significant step in space research. The CSA is set to curate a portion of the sample, with the arrival expected no earlier than 2026. To facilitate this, construction of a clean room south of Montreal commenced in January 2025. Hill noted that the transfer of the sample will take place in coordination with NASA, underscoring the importance of maintaining the integrity of the collected materials.
This development will make Canada the fifth nation globally to curate samples from space. The Canadian segment will account for approximately four percent of the total 122 grams of dust and pebbles collected, amounting to just under five grams. Hill emphasized the need for stringent protective measures against contamination, stating that the research involves great care to avoid exposure to water, organic molecules, or plastics. "The goal of these missions is not to modify the material while it's here on Earth," he stated.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission was launched in 2016 and aimed at collecting surface material from Bennu to enhance scientific understanding of solar system formation. The spacecraft entered orbit around Bennu in 2018 and successfully retrieved a sample in 2020. After commencing its return journey to Earth in 2021, the sample capsule landed in the Utah desert in September 2023.
Canada's significant contribution to the mission was the development of a laser altimeter tool, known as OLA, which enabled precise altitude measurements of Bennu. Over two years, this tool provided billions of data points, which were essential in identifying optimal locations for sample collection. The collected materials may offer crucial clues about the early solar system due to their pristine quality, unaltered by atmospheric entry or terrestrial conditions. As Hill noted, "So it’s not altered by travelling through the atmosphere and modification on the Earth’s surface, so it allows us to really look at the pristine material in detail."
Recent studies also indicate that Bennu has undergone significant transformations over time due to exposure to water and the harsh environment of space. The insightful analyses point out that Bennu was formed from a larger parent asteroid destroyed by a collision within the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. This parent body itself was constructed from materials originating in the outer solar system, incorporating dust and organic matter from interstellar space. Interestingly, researchers discovered the presence of stardust grains in the sample, indicating compositions that predate the formation of the solar system.
In summary, the ongoing research into the asteroid Bennu represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the solar system's origins and evolution. These findings not only illuminate the history of Bennu but also enhance Canada's role in space exploration and scientific inquiry.
