Asteroid Bennu Holds Secrets of Ancient Brine and Salty Subsurface Water

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has provided evidence of ancient brine on the asteroid Bennu, suggesting that the parent body it originated from likely contained salty, subsurface water. According to a study published in Nature, samples taken from the asteroid indicate the presence of salts, which are thought to have been formed through the interaction of water and rock. This finding provides significant insights into the chemistry of the early Solar System and suggests that brines might have been an important place where pre-biotic molecules were formed. Dr. Christina Richey, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, noted that the discovery of ancient brine on Bennu is a significant step forward in understanding the origins of life on Earth. "The presence of salts on Bennu suggests that the asteroid's parent body was a dynamic and water-rich environment, which could have played a crucial role in the formation of pre-biotic molecules," she said. The study also revealed that the cells in zebrafish brains are more functionally diverse than previously thought, despite appearing molecularly similar. A study published in the journal Nature found that cells can be grouped into categories based on the RNA molecules they produce, but this does not necessarily reflect their functional diversity. This finding adds nuance to how a cell's type is ultimately defined. Dr. David Liu, a biologist at Harvard University, explained that the study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of cell biology. "The discovery that cells can be functionally diverse even if they appear molecularly similar challenges our traditional understanding of cell classification," he said. "This finding highlights the complexity of cellular biology and the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding cell function." The discovery of ancient brine on Bennu and the functional diversity of zebrafish brain cells are just two of the many remarkable scientific findings of 2025. The year saw significant advances in our understanding of the early Solar System, the origins of life on Earth, and the complexity of cellular biology. In related news, a study published in the journal Science found that the use of antibiotics in agriculture is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that the widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture is leading to the evolution of bacteria that are resistant to these medications. Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a microbiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, noted that the study's findings have significant implications for public health. "The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a major public health concern, and the use of antibiotics in agriculture is a significant contributor to this problem," she said. As for the asteroid Bennu, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth in 2026, carrying samples of the asteroid's surface material. The samples will be studied by scientists around the world, providing further insights into the origins of the Solar System and the potential for life beyond Earth. In the meantime, researchers continue to study the asteroid and its potential for hosting life. Dr. Richey noted that the discovery of ancient brine on Bennu is just the beginning of a new era of research into the asteroid's composition and potential for hosting life. "The study of Bennu is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, and we look forward to continuing to learn more about this fascinating asteroid," she said.