Nondestructive analysis of Bennu samples toward comparative studies with Ryugu samples

Abstract Analyzing primitive extraterrestrial samples from asteroids is key to understanding the evolution of the early solar system. The OSIRIS‐REx mission returned samples from the B‐type asteroid Bennu, providing a valuable opportunity to compare them with the Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 mission. This study examines the representativeness of a fraction of the Bennu samples, which was allocated from NASA to JAXA, by nondestructive characterization of their physical and spectral properties without atmospheric exposure. The reflectance and observed spectral features in the visible‐to‐infrared range of the Bennu sample resemble those from the spectroscopic analysis of different fractions. Additionally, we found differences in the slope of the visible range and band‐center of ~2.7 μm band between the samples and the asteroid surface, which could be explained by the degree of space weathering. A comparative analysis of the Bennu and Ryugu samples revealed spectral similarities, including absorption features indicative of Mg‐rich phyllosilicates, organics, and carbonates, without any evidence of sampling bias or terrestrial alteration. This finding can be used as a benchmark for subsequent Ryugu–Bennu comparative studies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Published
2025-11-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.70077
Primary Topic
Astro and Planetary Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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Nondestructive analysis of Bennu samples toward comparative studies with Ryugu samples

Yuta Shimizu, Jean‐Pierre Bibring, Hideaki Miyamoto, Yuma Enokido et al.
Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Astro and Planetary Science
article

Nondestructive analysis of Bennu samples toward comparative studies with Ryugu samples

Yuta Shimizu, Jean‐Pierre Bibring, Hideaki Miyamoto, Yuma Enokido, Koki Yumoto, Ryosuke Sakurai, Seiya Kawasaki, Masahiro Nishimura, Rachel Y. Sheppard, Lucie Riu, Yuichiro Cho, R. Brunetto, Tatsuaki Okada, Masanao Abe, Seiji Sugita, Tomohiro Usui, Ryota Fukai, Toru Yada, C. Pilorget, Seishi Furukawa, Rui Tahara, L. Nardelli, Rei Kanemaru, D. Loizeau, C. Lantz, Kentaro Hatakeda, Akiko Miyazaki, Kasumi Yogata, M. Matsuoka, Eri Tatsumi, Shoki Mori, Shumpei Nakahara, Yuta Aikyo
article en

Abstract

Abstract Analyzing primitive extraterrestrial samples from asteroids is key to understanding the evolution of the early solar system. The OSIRIS‐REx mission returned samples from the B‐type asteroid Bennu, providing a valuable opportunity to compare them with the Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 mission. This study examines the representativeness of a fraction of the Bennu samples, which was allocated from NASA to JAXA, by nondestructive characterization of their physical and spectral properties without atmospheric exposure. The reflectance and observed spectral features in the visible‐to‐infrared range of the Bennu sample resemble those from the spectroscopic analysis of different fractions. Additionally, we found differences in the slope of the visible range and band‐center of ~2.7 μm band between the samples and the asteroid surface, which could be explained by the degree of space weathering. A comparative analysis of the Bennu and Ryugu samples revealed spectral similarities, including absorption features indicative of Mg‐rich phyllosilicates, organics, and carbonates, without any evidence of sampling bias or terrestrial alteration. This finding can be used as a benchmark for subsequent Ryugu–Bennu comparative studies.

Meteoritics and Planetary ScienceVol. 61(1)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Planetary Science Institute (US), Institut Universitaire de France (FR), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JP), Japan Steel Works (Japan) (JP), European Space Astronomy Centre (ES), Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale (FR), Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan (JP), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (JP), The University of Tokyo (JP)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Johnson Space Center, NASA Headquarters, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Openalex Percentile: Top 75%
Astro and Planetary Science
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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