The Origins of Asteroid Ryugu: Insights into its Formation and Composition

Analysis of grains collected from asteroid Ryugu reveals that the carbon-rich rock originated in the outer reaches of the Solar System before ending up in the asteroid belt and eventually near Earth. This suggests that asteroids can undergo multiple migrations through the Solar System and contain valuable records of its history. Ryugu, a C-type asteroid, is not located in the Main Belt but has similarities to asteroids in that region. The samples retrieved from Ryugu show characteristics consistent with material from the outer Solar System, such as organic matter and isotopes of oxygen. The findings indicate that Ryugu was once a planetesimal that formed in the outer Solar System before being disrupted and sent to the Main Belt, where it was altered by water. The research provides insights into the evolution of the Solar System.