Bennu Asteroid Samples Show Uneven Distribution of Organic Compounds and Minerals A recent study of samples collected from asteroid Bennu by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission reveals that the asteroid's chemistry is highly heterogeneous. Scientists found that organic compounds and minerals are grouped into three distinct regions, each shaped by past interactions with liquid water. Using advanced nanoscale infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques, researchers examined sample OREX-800066-3 at scales as small as 20 nanometers. The study identified regions rich in simple carbon-based molecules, carbonate minerals indicating past water activity, and nitrogen-containing organics critical for biological molecules. These findings suggest that water did not affect Bennu uniformly, resulting in a patchwork of chemical environments. Despite these interactions, fragile organic molecules remained intact, offering clues about how life's building blocks can survive in space. This research provides insights into the processes that shaped primitive asteroids, the early Solar System, and the potential delivery of life's ingredients to Earth.

Bennu Asteroid Samples Show Uneven Distribution of Organic Compounds and Minerals

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Elusive ‘dark matter’ diazo compounds captured from a human lung pathogen Discovery might lead to simpler, safer ways to make diazo-based reagents

Elusive ‘dark matter’ diazo compounds captured from a human lung pathogen #Science #Chemistry #OrganicChemistry #DarkMatter #HumanPathogens #OrganicCompounds

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TUM IDEAward for biotechnology and nanotechnology start-up teams Three research teams have been honored with the TUM IDEAward for their pioneering start-up ideas.

Congrats to Verdira Biotech on winning first place at the #TUMIDEAward 2025! 🎉 They developed a #filtrationtechnology for volatile #organiccompounds. FIRsense and ARPOSO Biotech won second and third place, respectively: go.tum.de/879610 👏

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📷A. Heddergott

Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars Presence of long-chain alkanes in rock raises new questions about possible existence of life billions of years ago Nasa’s Curiosity rover has found the largest organic compounds ever seen on Mars, raising...

Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars #Science #Space #Astrobiology #MarsDiscovery #OrganicCompounds #NASA

Mysterious Organic Compounds Discovered Over 7,500 Feet Underground in Finland Volatile organic compounds were found in Finland within a borehole extending over two kilometers deep. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), commonly associated with poor indoor air quality and industrial...

Mysterious Organic Compounds Discovered Over 7,500 Feet Underground in Finland #Science #Chemistry #OrganicChemistry #OrganicCompounds #Geochemistry #FinlandResearch