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Ancient Asteroid Sample Reveals Secrets of Cosmic Origins

6/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the Field Museum are delving into a 4.6-billion-year-old sample from asteroid Bennu, gathered by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. This pristine "time capsule" brims with organic compounds, offering a rare glimpse into the mysteries of life’s beginnings and the solar system's formation. The findings could reshape our understanding of our cosmic origins.

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Story summary

Researchers at the Field Museum are delving into a 4.6-billion-year-old sample from asteroid Bennu, gathered by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. This pristine "time capsule" brims with organic compounds, offering a rare glimpse into the mysteries of life’s beginnings and the solar system's formation. The findings could reshape our understanding of our cosmic origins.