NASA Just Arrived at an Asteroid! SciShow News

NASA's Osiris Rex spacecraft has reached the asteroid Bennu after a two-year journey. Bennu is valuable for understanding the solar system's formation due to its proximity and chemical composition. Osiris Rex will collect samples using a nitrogen gas jet and return them to Earth by 2023. Meanwhile, new research suggests a potential fifth RNA base, Innocine, which could have played a role in early life on Earth. This discovery may expand the search for life beyond Earth.

What makes the asteroid Bennu particularly valuable for scientific study?

• It has a high concentration of gold.

• It is the only asteroid with an atmosphere.

• It is closer to Earth than the main asteroid belt.

• It is the largest asteroid in the solar system.

How does the Osiris Rex spacecraft collect samples from Bennu?

• By melting the surface with a laser.

• By using a robotic arm to scoop up material.

• By shooting a jet of nitrogen gas to dislodge particles.

• By drilling into the asteroid's surface.

What is the significance of the samples collected by Osiris Rex?

• They will be used to build a new spacecraft.

• They are the largest samples of space regolith since the Apollo missions.

• They will be sold to private collectors.

• They will be used to terraform Mars.

What new discovery about RNA is discussed in the video?

• RNA is not necessary for life.

• A new chemical recipe for RNA has been found.

• RNA is made of only two chemical bases.

• RNA can only be found on Earth.

What is the potential significance of Innocine in early RNA?

• It could have been a suitable RNA base for early life.

• It is a newly discovered element.

• It is used in modern medicine.

• It is a type of asteroid.

How might the discovery of Innocine affect the search for life?

• It will narrow the search to only Earth-like planets.

• It will expand the range of compounds to look for.

• It will eliminate the need for further research.

• It will confirm that life exists only on Earth.

What was the unexpected finding about Innocine during the research?

• It was identical to adenine.

• It was found to be toxic to all life forms.

• It worked as well as modern RNA made with guanine.

• It could not replicate at all.