☄️ Today is the International #AsteroidDay — a perfect opportunity to discuss how radiation-based techniques help to analyze celestial objects! Did you know that X-rays are used to study the origins of life in our solar system? Processing samples brought from space is a complex task, as it is particularly important not to damage the sample. X-ray radiation makes it possible to analyze the chemical composition of samples with great precision, as well as in a completely non-destructive way and without complex preparations. X-rays were used to analyze the samples collected by Japan on Ryugu — an asteroid similar to the Sun in their chemical composition. Due to its high carbon content, Ryugu could provide new information about the origin of life on Earth. Scientists were already able to detect rare earth metals in the samples. They also determined that the asteroid originated from a larger “parent” asteroid formed in the outer solar nebula. Read more from DESY: bit.ly/42TfSry
Interesting!
Interesting!
Materials Scientist and Engineer
4dI'll keep this in mind