Asteroid Bennu: A Time Capsule from Before Our Solar System
Asteroid Bennu has surprised scientists by containing dust that predates the formation of our solar system. Recent studies reveal that the near-Earth asteroid holds stardust billions of years old, offering insights into the earliest days of our cosmic neighborhood. Researchers have found traces of interstellar material within Bennu, making it a true time capsule traveling through space.
Clues to the Universe’s Violent History
The analysis of Bennu’s sample materials has uncovered clues about the asteroid’s turbulent past. The dust and minerals inside Bennu not only predate the sun but also point to violent cosmic events. These findings could help scientists understand how planets, including Earth, formed and evolved. By studying Bennu, experts hope to unlock secrets about the building blocks of life and the processes that shaped our solar system.
Sources:
Live Science – Asteroid Bennu Contains Dust Older Than the Solar System
