Mar 28, 2023

【Research Highlights】 Infrared spectroscopy revealing homogeneity of Ryugu samples　

　The Fourier Transform InfraRed spectrometry (FT-IR) for more than a hundred Ryugu samples and statistical analysis of their spectra revealed the high homogeneity of Ryugu samples. Most of the Ryugu samples consists of phyllosillicates with low reflectance and distinctly deep OH absorption band, while there are rare components such as carbonates with several hundreds of microns in size and sulfides with metallic face.

Classification of Ryugu samples based on its surface characteristics — A: The averaged reflectance spectra of individual grains. Absorption band of OH (2.6–2.8μm) are detected. Rarely detected unique spectra in individual grains are shown in Fig. B-D. B: C0041b, large carbonate inclusion. B, C: C0079 and A0038, high reflectance with metallic inclusion.

You can find the various samples at Ryugu sample catalog: https://darts.isas.jaxa.jp/app/curation/ryugu/

＜From the primary author – Dr. Hatakeda＞
Infrared spectroscopy introduced in this paper is a measurement method that can capture some characteristics of a sample without damaging it (even X-rays and ultraviolet rays could potentially damage a sample). JAXA curation has been trying to provide the information of Ryugu samples based on analyses that we conduct while keeping them “fresh” (= no contamination, and no damage derived from analyses) to researchers who will conduct research in the future.

Original article:

Journal：  Earth, Planets and Space
Title：  Homogeneity and heterogeneity in near-infrared FTIR spectra of Ryugu returned samples
Author：  Hatakeda, K. et al.
DOI：  10.1186/s40623-023-01784-w
URL：  https://earth-planets-space.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40623-023-01784-w
Published：  March 28, 2023