LPSC Report: Advances in Ryugu and Bennu sample research & future missions
From March 10 to 14, the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) was held in The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston, Texas, USA. More than a year has passed since the return of asteroid Bennu samples by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in September 2023. As research papers on the sample analysis results have started to be published, this year's conference featured even more detailed findings compared to last year, attracting significant interest. In particular, active discussions took place on reports regarding the evaporation processes of briny water on Bennu’s parent body, as well as studies on substances related to life, such as amino acids and nucleobases.
Additionally, many presentations were given on new research findings on Ryugu samples and comparative studies between Ryugu and Bennu samples. A team from IAS (Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale), which collaborates with JAXA curation using the near-infrared hyperspectral microscope “MicrOmega” for Ryugu sample analysis, reported on the discovery of HAMP (Hydrated Ammonium-Magnesium-Phosphorous-Rich) grains in the Ryugu samples. Bennu samples are more enriched in ammonia and phosphate than the Ryugu samples although the Ryugu and Bennu samples have similar petrological and mineralogical features. Therefore, HAMP grains should be important in understanding the relationship between Ryugu and Bennu samples.
JAXA curation also presented a poster on the initial description analysis of the Bennu samples, which have been processed since their receipt in August last year. Notably, JAXA has obtained extensive spectroscopic data on the Bennu samples earlier than most others worldwide, leading to active discussions with many researchers about the results.
Beyond asteroid exploration, a large number of sessions focused on the geology and mineralogy of Mars in preparation for future Mars exploration missions, creating an exciting atmosphere. The discussions on Mars exploration, including JAXA’s Mars Moon Exploration (MMX) mission, were particularly inspiring, further motivating us in our curation efforts. It was an inspiring five-day experience that provided a firsthand look at the forefront of solar system exploration.
