Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mineral from asteroid Ryugu, providing insights into the early Solar System. The two tiny grains, brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 mission in 2020, contain material that predates any found on our planet. One grain originates from the surface of Ryugu, while the other comes from within the asteroid itself.
The analysis of these grains, published in 2024, was highlighted in a press release from Brookhaven National Laboratory, part of the US Department of Energy. These minerals serve as invaluable archives of the chemical reactions that shaped the Solar System.
Advanced Analysis Techniques Unveil Rare Minerals
The research team, led by geoscientist Paul Northrup from Stony Brook University, used advanced X-ray imaging techniques to study the two grains without damaging them. “The beauty of these combined techniques is that we can measure the chemistry of both the exterior and the interior of a sample without damaging it,” Northrup stated. This approach is crucial given the limited amount of material available, as only 5.4 grams (0.2 ounces) of Ryugu’s material was collected, with Northrup’s team analyzing just 9.3 milligrams.
The analysis revealed a variety of minerals and compounds, including selenium, manganese, iron, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and calcium. Notably, phosphorus was identified in two distinct forms: one akin to the mineral found in human teeth and bones, and another that is a rare phosphide mineral not seen on Earth.
Extraterrestrial Minerals and the Origins of Life
While the team has yet to confirm the identity of the newfound mineral, subsequent analysis in 2024 identified hydrated ammonium magnesium phosphorus (HAMP). This crystalline mineral, similar to Earthly struvite, is not found on our planet. Struvite is often associated with biological processes and is a significant component of some kidney stones.
Astrobiologist Matthew Pasek remarked in Nature Astronomy, “The finding of HAMP grains in the Ryugu samples continues to highlight the potential role of extraterrestrial matter in originating life on Earth.” Each grain of data extracted from Ryugu brings researchers closer to understanding the factors that influenced the formation of our Solar System.
This groundbreaking study, published in Geosciences, underscores the importance of continuing exploration and analysis of extraterrestrial materials. The unique insights gained from Ryugu may help unravel the mysteries of our cosmic origins and the conditions that led to the emergence of life on Earth.
