101955 Bennu sample collected by OSIRIS-REx

101955 Bennu

μL2MS spectrum of organic molecules that outgassed from sample OREX-501006-0 after loading into the vacuum chamber. The spectrum of the released molecules after laser desorption is identical.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/maps.14227

Asteroid (101955) Bennu in the laboratory: Properties of the sample collected by OSIRIS-REx

Dante S. Lauretta, Harold C. Connolly Jr, Joseph E. Aebersold, Conel M. O'D. Alexander, Ronald-L. Ballouz, Jessica J. Barnes, Helena C. Bates, Carina A. Bennett … See all authors 

First published: 26 June 2024 https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14227

Dante S. Lauretta and Harold C. Connolly contributed equally to this work.

The additional members of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Team are listed in Appendix  1.

Editorial Handling—Dr. A. J. Timothy Jull

Examples of coarse-grained (a) and fine-grained (b) phyllosilicates in sample OREX-501017-0.

Examples of magnetite and sulfide in samples OREX-501001-0, OREX-803079-0, and OREX-501002-0. (a) Magnetite framboids. (b) Magnetite spheres with radially projecting needles next to dodecahedral crystals. (c) Dodecahedral magnetite with surface etching. (d) Magnetite plaquettes. (e, f) Pseudohexagonal plates of pyrrhotites.

Examples of carbonates in samples OREX-803100-0 and OREX-803080-0. (a) Individual dolomite grain. (b, c) Calcite assemblages. (d) Magnesite with surface alteration features.

Examples of different types of condensed organic phases and minerals in sample OREX-501002-0. (a) Carbon-rich area distinct from surrounding minerals (outlined in yellow). (b) Carbon–mineral aggregate. (c) Organic nanoglobule (yellow arrow).