Arizona State University professor, Dr. Laurence Garvie, has made a groundbreaking discovery while studying pebbles from the Bennu asteroid. Garvie, who is a research professor at ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, analyzed the pebbles that were collected from the surface of Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.
The study of these pebbles has provided valuable insights into the composition and history of the asteroid. Garvie found that the pebbles are rich in carbonates, suggesting that Bennu may have formed in a water-rich environment, possibly on a larger asteroid that had water on its surface. This discovery could help scientists better understand the origins of asteroids and the role they played in the early solar system.
In addition to the carbonates, Garvie also found organic materials in the pebbles, which are essential building blocks for life. This finding raises intriguing questions about the potential for life on asteroids and the possibility of extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.
The study of the pebbles from Bennu is part of a larger effort to study asteroids and their potential impact on Earth. By understanding the composition and properties of these celestial bodies, scientists hope to better predict and mitigate the risk of asteroid impacts in the future.
Overall, Dr. Garvie’s research has shed light on the complex history of the Bennu asteroid and provided valuable information that could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth. This groundbreaking discovery highlights the crucial role that universities like ASU play in advancing our knowledge of the universe.
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