Let's look at ancient space rock fragments that hold clues to how rocky planets, including Earth, formed.

Over the next two years, the OSIRIS-REx science team will continue to study the samples. NASA will preserve at least 70% of the sample at the Johnson Space Centre for further research by scientists around the world, including future generations of scientists.

Asteroids are remnants from the period of planet formation, so by studying asteroids we can learn what existed in our solar system before the Earth was fully formed. Was there already water? Or organic molecules, DNA or RNA?

Preliminary studies of this asteroid sample reveal evidence of high concentrations of carbon and water, which together are among the building blocks of life as we know it on Earth.

Image Description.

Top view of TAGSAM (Touch and Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) showing a mylar lid with a pile of asteroid material on it. The box is a grey metal cylinder. Dark, powdery asteroid sample material can be seen inside. Credit: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold

Small asteroid particles cover the base of the science box. An arc of dust and crushed rocks extends from the upper left corner of the frame to the lower left corner. Credit: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold

Astromaterials processor Mari Montoya and members of the OSIRIS-REx curation team remove TAGSAM from the canister base, turn it upside down and place it in the canister glove box. Each wears protective clothing, including white masks, blue bonnets and surgical gowns. Credit: NASA/Kimberly Allums

This image is part of a video that shows researchers lifting open a box of metallic samples inside a glove box. They are wearing white gloves and blue aprons.