Surprising Phosphate Find in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample – NASA

Mineral fragment from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu sample, seen against a black background. The pieces are predominantly gray, with notable light blue hues flecked throughout. The biggest fragment, triangular, is about a millimeter on a side.

Early analysis of the asteroid Bennu sample returned by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has revealed dust rich in carbon, nitrogen and organic compounds, all of which are essential components for life as we know it. The sample is dominated by clay minerals, particularly serpentine, and reflects the type of rocks found on Earth at mid-ocean ridges. … Read more