Asteroid Ryugu is turning out to be a fascinating treasure trove in our solar system. New studies of tiny grains from Ryugu, collected by Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, show that it has minerals that existed long before Earth was formed, preserved perfectly for billions of years.
Researchers from Brookhaven National Laboratory used advanced X-ray imaging to dive deep into the chemistry of these asteroid samples. They discovered a mix of minerals and elements that originated from Ryugu’s ancient parent body. This information sheds light on the early materials and fluid interactions that shaped Ryugu and similar asteroids.
Officials from the laboratory shared, “These clues begin to tell a story about the starting materials of the asteroid and their early interactions with fluids.” This knowledge enhances our understanding of how carbon-rich asteroids like Ryugu formed from conditions in the early solar system.
Ryugu is thought to have formed in the cold outer regions of the solar system more than 4.7 billion years ago. Its parent body was warmed slightly through a process called radioactive decay, melting ices and releasing fluids that flowed through the rock. This chemical activity left behind a rich variety of minerals — some familiar, others entirely new.
Scientists identified minerals like manganese-bearing dolomite, iron-rich pyrrhotite, and even hydroxyapatite, which is found in human bones. They also found signs of selenium, sulfur, and more. Such a diverse mineral roster hints at intricate chemical processes that occurred billions of years ago, even before Earth’s crust became stable.
Since much of Earth’s early rock record is lost to erosion and tectonics, Ryugu offers a rare glimpse into conditions during planetary formation. Its samples may even tell us if asteroids like Ryugu delivered water and organic materials that kickstarted life on Earth.
In fact, a study highlighted in the journal Geosciences emphasizes the importance of asteroids as preserved archives of solar system history. Researchers state, “As Earth evolves, it erases chemical traces of its origins. Asteroids like Ryugu hold vital clues.” The exploration of these celestial bodies can deepen our understanding of not just our planet’s beginnings but also the broader narrative of the solar system.
Asteroid sampling is becoming a hot trend in space exploration. Japan’s Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions have already brought back samples from two asteroids. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx recently returned material from asteroid Bennu, which scientists plan to analyze with similar methods. Comparing Ryugu and Bennu may unveil significant differences in how such asteroids formed and changed over time, possibly transporting life’s building blocks across the early solar system.
What’s next? More asteroid sampling missions are planned. For example, Japan’s MMX mission aims to target Phobos, one of Mars’ moons. Future projects even envision capturing samples from metallic asteroids or comets! Each of these missions holds the potential to unlock new insights about our solar system.
For anyone interested in digging deeper, findings about Ryugu’s unique chemistry are available in the journal Geosciences [here](https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/14/4/111).
