18.06.2021

Organic matter and hydrogen have been confirmed in a sample brought back to Earth from the asteroid Ryugu by the explorer Hayabusa2, an analysis team at Okayama University has announced.

The finding raises hopes for resolving the mystery of how life-forming materials such as organic matter and water came into existence during the formation of the Earth.

The team analyzed a sample from Ryugu and found that it contained a large amount of hydrogen and organic matter including carbon and nitrogen.

Preliminary observations by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had detected signs of organic matter and water, but this was the first time they have been confirmed.

“There is a possibility that a large amount of ice existed on the surface of Ryugu in the past, which was incorporated into minerals and organic matter over a long period of time,” said Okayama University Professor Eizo Nakamura, a member of the analysis team who specializes in Earth and planetary material science.

The team will further study the types of organic matter contained in the sample and compile the findings in a research paper.

Hayabusa2 brought back about 5.4 grams of rocks and sand from Ryugu last December. JAXA began distributing the samples at the end of May to eight analysis teams from universities and research institutes in 14 countries including Japan and the United States.

Quelle: The Yomiuri Shimbun