Surprising asteroid sample reveals Bennu may have originated from an ocean world

Scientists have been analyzing samples collected from asteroid Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in 2020. Initial analysis found the samples to be rich in organic compounds like carbon and nitrogen, which are important for life. Unexpectedly, the samples also contained magnesium-sodium phosphate, a compound that can dissolve in water and is relevant to biochemistry. The […]