According to prevailing views, many of the most important components for life arrived on our planet at a very early stage in Earth’s history, in the form of a meteor shower.

The Last week, a sample taken in 2020 from the asteroid Bennu arrived on Earth, aboard the Osiris-Rex probe.

The analysis of the composition of the asteroid Bennu, which will be officially reported by NASA on October 11, will allow scientists to better understand how the solar system formed and how Earth became habitable.

The striking thing about this project is that NASA (organisation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has asked the Vatican for help.

The Roman Catholic Church has one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. Its origins date back to the second half of the 16th century. This led by Jesuit astronomers since the 1930s.

Astronomer with ‘divine’ direction

The Jesuit Robert Macke is the selected astronomer. He is a curator of meteorites at the Vatican Observatory and because of his expertise he was invited by Andrew Ryan of the University of Arizona, who is the leader of the sample analysis group for the Osiris-Rex mission, to develop a device that analyze the density and porosity of the collected samples.

“At first he was just looking for advice, but then he asked me to direct the construction of the ideal gas pycnometer,” says Macke, referring to Ryan, according to a publication in the Spanish newspaper ABC.

That device is the pycnometer, which must measure the density of the samples and ensure that they do not come into contact with terrestrial material. The device designed by Jesuit It has already been installed in Texas, at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

The Macke-made instrument, which took about two years to prepare, consists of small steel chambers, metal tubes and valves that can open and close, National Geographic points out. Macke and the team of researchers from the University of Arizona were only allowed to use about 15 materials, including stainless steel, aluminum and glass. Motors, computers and circuits were strictly prohibited, so all electronic components were housed in a separate box next to the cleanroom. Nitrogen gas is pumped through the system. Than, Pre and emphasis calculations will indicate the volume displaced by the meteorite sample.

In addition to being an expert in astronomy, the Jesuit also directs the television channel YouTube Macke MakerSpace shows his fascinating creations with his 3D printer, including a replica of the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Rome.

When asked whether many believe that faith and science contradict each other, Catholic scientists at the Vatican Observatory disagree. “By studying and learning about this great universe that is part of God’s creation, we can increase our appreciation for the Creator Himself,” Macke said. “In short: for us, doing science is a form of worship. “We do the same science as everyone else and we collaborate with others and contribute to the totality of human knowledge, but what motivates our work is fundamentally the worship of God the Creator,” he said. Catholic News Agency.

Bennu analysis

NASA scientists announced that during the opening of the scientific ship OSIRIS-REx, black dust and debris were found on the platform.

The return capsule container was delivered to the Johnson Space Center, which houses the world’s largest collection of astromaterials.

The meteorite studied has received special attention from astronomers because NASA announced that the asteroid named Bennu has a 1 in 1,750 (or 0.036%) chance of impacting our planet in the 22nd century. It is the size of the Empire State Building and has the potential to cause a serious catastrophe in our world. (JO)