Sample Analysis of Asteroid Ryugu

Samples existing on the asteroid Ryugu were brought to the ground. Hayabusa2, which accomplished a major mission

Hayabusa2 was launched into space in December 2014 to collect samples existing on the asteroid Ryugu. It successfully collected the samples directly, and the collected particles were packed in a special capsule and returned to the ground in December 2020.

After that, they were delivered to researchers in charge of analysis, and the analysis is still ongoing, revealing a variety of things.

Hayabusa2 and collected particles

Ryugu is classified into a category of planets called C-type asteroids; C-type asteroids are thought to contain large amounts of water and carbon. (From "JAXA Hayabusa2 Project")

The Ryugu is believed to contain water and organic matter from 4.6 billion years ago.
Analyzing samples will provide clues to solving the mysteries of the origin and evolution of the solar system and the birth of life.

Why was Ryugu selected for exploration among the many solar-system bodies?

It is because, compared to the S-type asteroid Itokawa, from which samples were brought back by the asteroid probe Hayabusa, the C-type asteroid Ryugu is thought to have a higher possibility of being composed of primitive materials that retain much information about the early solar system.

The asteroid "Ryugu" is estimated to still contain water and organic materials from 4.6 billion years ago, when the solar system is believed to have been born. If samples can be analyzed to reveal what they consist of and how they were created, it is expected to provide major clues to solving the mysteries of the origin and evolution of the solar system and the birth of life.

Asteroid Ryugu

Ryugu is classified as a C-type asteroid, which is thought to contain a large amount of organic matter in its rocks. (From "JAXA Hayabusa2 Project")

Hamamatsu Photonics’ camera used as a detector in sample analysis equipment.
The clear imaging by the high-performance camera helps to unravel many mysteries.

Analysis of the collected samples was started by the "Initial Analysis Team" and the "Phase 2 Curation Kochi Team" in charge of analysis at the experimental facility of SPring-8, a large synchrotron radiation facility located in Hyogo Prefecture.

The collected samples are analyzed in various ways, one of which is by using a measurement camera, and our high-performance CMOS camera is used in the equipment to analyze the samples.

Specifically, non-destructive analysis of the 3D shape, internal structure, and mineral distribution of the sample is being conducted using an "integrated CT environment" that combines multiple CT methods using synchrotron radiation X-rays, such as X-ray diffraction CT and phase contrast CT. Since the fall of 2021, high-resolution 3D visualization of water and organic matter in samples has also been conducted at the facility using nano CT analysis methods.

Integrated CT system at SPring-8 BL20XU. Our CMOS camera is used as a detector.

Analysis experiments are expected to unravel various issues in space science, such as the chemical evolution of organic matter on the asteroid Ryugu, where rocks, minerals, water, and organic matter coexist, the relationship with known primitive meteorites, and the origin of water on Earth.

Our digital CMOS cameras used to analyze samples filled with dreams and romance are helping to unravel many mysteries.

Digital CMOS camera

Sample Analysis of Asteroid Ryugu

Samples existing on the asteroid Ryugu were brought to the ground. Hayabusa2, which accomplished a major mission

The Ryugu is believed to contain water and organic matter from 4.6 billion years ago. Analyzing samples will provide clues to solving the mysteries of the origin and evolution of the solar system and the birth of life.

Hamamatsu Photonics’ camera used as a detector in sample analysis equipment. The clear imaging by the high-performance camera helps to unravel many mysteries.

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The Ryugu is believed to contain water and organic matter from 4.6 billion years ago.
Analyzing samples will provide clues to solving the mysteries of the origin and evolution of the solar system and the birth of life.

Hamamatsu Photonics’ camera used as a detector in sample analysis equipment.
The clear imaging by the high-performance camera helps to unravel many mysteries.