Canadian researchers, members of NASA's OSIRIS-REx international science team, have contributed to new studies related to the sample collected from asteroid Bennu.
Three scientific articles published today inNature AstronomyandNature Geosciencereveal that Bennu contains:
— Stardust grains older than our solar system
— Interstellar organic matter (likely formed beyond our solar system)
— High-temperature minerals that formed closer to the Sun
Learn more:Fascinating news about Bennu
For interviews with a CSA expert and more details about the Canadian discoveries, please contact the Media Relations Office.
Canada's role in the OSIRIS-REx Mission
These new findings highlight the importance of asteroid sample return missions like OSIRIS-REx. A Canadian lidar instrument was used to help select the Bennu sample site. In exchange for this contribution, Canada will receive 4% of the sample, making it the fifth country to preserve and study a sample collected from space. It's also thanks to this contribution that Canadian researchers are part of the international science team.
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SOURCE Canadian Space Agency
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