A tiny grain from asteroid Ryugu has revealed djerfisherite, a mineral that normally forms in scorching, oxygen-poor settings—conditions Ryugu was never thought to experience. The surprise find hints that the asteroid either endured unexpected heat spikes or captured exotic material transported across the early Solar System. Microscopy and chemical clues now challenge the idea that […]



Summary

A grain from asteroid Ryugu contains djerfisherite, a mineral indicative of high heat and oxygen-poor environments, conditions previously believed absent on Ryugu. This unexpected discovery suggests Ryugu may have experienced brief periods of extreme heat or, alternatively, accreted materials from diverse regions of the early Solar System where such conditions were prevalent. The presence of djerfisherite challenges established models of Ryugu’s formation and composition, prompting researchers to re-evaluate its history and the processes that shaped the asteroid. Microscopy and chemical analysis are being used to refine understanding of Ryugu’s origins.

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