Hayabusa2 Detects Water-Containing Minerals on Asteroid Ryugu
Tokyo, March 20 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s unmanned space probe Hayabusa2 has detected small amounts of minerals containing water on the surface of the asteroid Ryugu, a Japanese research team has said.
The findings may provide a clue to solving the mystery of the origin of Earth’s water. Scientists say that at least part of the water came from asteroids and comets.
Papers on observations results from the Hayabusa2 mission, including the findings, were published on the online version of the U.S. journal Science on Tuesday.
Ryugu is classified as a C-type asteroid containing water and organic compounds.
After its arrival at Ryugu in June last year, Hayabusa2 surveyed 69,000 locations on the asteroid, covering 90 pct of its surface, by using near-infrared spectrometer capable of detecting hydrated minerals.
JIJI PRESS