The results of analysis by two teams on the samples collected by the Japanese spacecraft "Hayabusa2" on the asteroid "Ryugu" have been released, and "Ryugu" contains abundant minerals formed by reacting with water. Therefore, it is considered that there was a large amount of water on the celestial body that was the source of "Ryugu".
This is the first time that detailed analysis results of the "Ryugu" sample have been published, and it will be noted as a result of the "Hayabusa2" project, which has become a hot topic worldwide.
The sample of the asteroid "Ryugu" collected by "Hayabusa2" is analyzed by eight domestic teams such as amino acids related to life and traces of water, of which Okayama University and JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency The two teams centered on Ryugu published their respective papers for the first time as detailed analysis results.
According to a team led by Okayama University, 23 kinds of amino acids were detected in the sample of "Ryugu", which are related to glutamic acid and aspartic acid known as neurotransmitters, glycine contained in collagen, and metabolism. It means that it contained amino acids that are closely related to the activity of life, such as valine.
In addition, electron microscope observation and chemical analysis confirmed that the sample was rich in minerals formed by reacting with water, so both teams found that the celestial body that was the source of "Ryugu" was It is thought that there was a large amount of liquid water, and then it was divided into small pieces due to collisions between celestial bodies and gradually lost water, creating the current "Ryugu".
The team at Okayama University says that the void ratio, which indicates the amount of gaps in the sample, is as high as 40%, indicating that the water and ice that were originally contained were released into outer space.
Regarding the time when water and minerals reacted, the team at Okayama University estimated that the temperature of water would be about 0 to 30 degrees after 2.6 million years after the formation of the solar system, while the team centered on JAXA. It is believed that there was hot spring-like water at about 40 degrees Celsius about 5 million years after the formation of the solar system.
The results of both teams are expected to be valuable clues to the early state of the solar system, and will be noted as the result of the "Hayabusa2" project, which has become a hot topic in the world.
Researcher at Okayama University "The relationship with the origin of life will be clearer in the future"
Researchers at Okayama University believe that "Ryugu" was originally rich in water and was like the core of "Suisei," also known as "broom star." In such celestial bodies, organic matter chemically evolves into life. It may have led to the birth. Future research will clarify the relationship with the origin of life in more detail. "
JAXA researcher "This time is like the first serial drama"
A JAXA researcher said, "This announcement is like the first of a serial drama, and other teams will announce the results one after another, so I hope that you will be able to understand the whole picture until the end." I'm talking to you.