Unveiling the Impact of Terrestrial Weathering on Primitive Meteorites through Ryugu Samples

A study analyzing samples from the asteroid Ryugu has provided new insights into the composition of water- and carbon-rich small bodies in the solar system. The research, conducted by international scientists, revealed that the Ryugu samples avoided terrestrial alteration, allowing for a comparison with meteorites altered in terrestrial environments. The study challenges previous assumptions about the parent bodies of CI chondrites and highlights the susceptibility of primitive meteorite spectra to terrestrial weathering. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the composition and evolution of small bodies in the solar system.