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Evidence of water on asteroid Bennu
Why is it in news?
- Scientists have discovered evidence of abundant water-bearing minerals on the surface of the near-earth asteroid Bennu.
More in news
- OSIRIS-REx spacecraft: NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft that is currently orbiting the asteroid confirmed the presence of aqueously altered, hydrated minerals on its surface.
- Clue to Earth origin: Scientists say similar objects may have seeded the earth with water and organic materials.
- Bennu:(1) Scientists chose Bennu as the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission because of its composition, size, and proximity to Earth.(2) Bennu is a rare B-type asteroid (primitive and carbon-rich), which is expected to have organic compounds and water-bearing minerals like clays.
Source
The Hindu