【Research Highlights】
Bennu Samples Closely Resemble Ryugu Samples

The samples returned from the B-type asteroid Bennu have attracted considerable attention as a new collection of asteroid-return samples alongside those from Ryugu. Studies to date indicate that Bennu samples provide important insights into the formation and evolution of planetesimals, as well as the evolution of organic matter in the early Solar System.

At JAXA Curation, the 660 mg of Bennu samples received from NASA are stored and handled in a dedicated chamber without exposure to Earth's atmosphere. To investigate the optical characteristics of the sample surfaces, the Bennu samples were measured inside the chamber using a variety of analytical techniques. The results are in excellent agreement with data obtained by other laboratories, indicating that the samples received by JAXA are representative of the returned Bennu material. Furthermore, the optical characteristics of the Bennu samples were found to closely resemble those of the Ryugu samples.

Although the Ryugu and Bennu samples are remarkably similar, differences have been identified in some aspects of their chemical composition and mineralogical characteristics. Future studies are expected to reveal what processes during the early history of the Solar System gave rise to these differences. The unbiased baseline data provided by JAXA Curation—free from contamination, alteration, and biases related to sample quantity—will serve as an important foundation for future research.

Original article:

Journal：  Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Title：  Nondestructive analysis of Bennu samples toward comparative studies with Ryugu samples
Author：  Fukai, R. et al.
DOI：  doi.org/10.1111/maps.70077
URL：  https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.70077
Available online：  November 25, 2025