Bennu Capsule Has Been Opened, Researchers Find Black Dust On The Tube Lid

The OSIRIS-REx team found black dust inside the lid of the Bennu capsule (Photo: NASA Doc.)

JAKARTA - Bennu, a type C asteroid in the Apollo group, which is stored in a capsule has arrived on earth since last week.

Quoted from Gizmodo, this capsule was finally opened by researchers.

The United States Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Origin, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Regolith Explorer Security (OSIRIS-REx) mission team has lifted the capsule's initial cap.

After opening, researchers found black dust and debris on the inside of the capsule lid. NASA does not yet know the origin of the debris, but it most likely came from Bennu.

The dust found from this asteroid will be studied and analyzed further so that the OSIRIS-REx Team can immediately find out the chemical, mineralogical characteristics and rock type of the asteroid.

NASA researchers revealed that they want to understand asteroids and their impact on Earth.

Researchers also hope that these asteroid rocks and dust can provide clues about water or other important materials.

Although NASA has not provided another explanation regarding their findings in the capsule, the space agency will provide details soon. NASA will hold a live broadcast on October 11 to reveal the results of their findings regarding Bennu.