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NASA scientists analyzed soil samples delivered to Earth from the asteroid Bennu and discovered the presence of traces of water in them, writes “Argumenty i Fakty”.
Preliminary analysis showed the presence of water and carbon in the soil. This is exactly what the researchers hoped to find. “Water and carbon molecules are exactly the materials we wanted to find. These are extremely important elements in the formation of our planet. These samples will help us determine the origin of elements that could lead to the origin of life”, - explained NASA head Bill Nelson.
Materials from the asteroid Bennu were delivered to Earth at the end of September 2023. The Osiris-rex probe, sent in 2016, reached the surface of the asteroid in 2020, took soil samples and set off on its return journey.
The age of the asteroid Bennu is estimated at about 2 billion years, before it could be part of a larger celestial object located in the space between Jupiter and Saturn.