Unveiling the Enigmatic Composition of Asteroid Bennu: Surprising Discoveries and Clues to Life's Origin

Scientists studying the extraterrestrial material collected from the asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft have found hydrated, organic-rich remnants from the early solar system. The material is dark in color, consists of rough "cauliflower-like" boulders, and is rich in carbon and organic molecules. Initial spectral analysis shows a dominant blue signature, suggesting the presence of more water than expected. The material also contains high amounts of magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus, which puzzles the scientists.