Special Exhibition: Sample Return from Asteroids – "Hayabusa," "Hayabusa2," and on to "MMX"
A Unique Opportunity to View Asteroid Samples
The National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo will host a special exhibition titled "Sample Return from Asteroids – ‘Hayabusa,’ ‘Hayabusa2,’ and toward ‘MMX’." This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness, for the first time ever, samples from three different asteroids displayed together. These samples were collected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) "Hayabusa" and "Hayabusa2" missions, which retrieved materials from asteroids Itokawa and Ryugu respectively, and NASA’s "OSIRIS-REx" mission, which brought back a sample from asteroid Bennu.
The exhibition will not only showcase these invaluable extraterrestrial materials but also provide insights into the scientific findings derived from their analysis. Visitors can expect to see a variety of related materials, including operation logs from the missions. Additionally, the exhibition will delve into the scientific significance of the upcoming "MMX" (Martian Moons eXploration) mission, which aims to further our understanding of the solar system through sample return.
Exhibition Details
- Location: National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan Gallery, accessible via Ueno Station.
- Address: Japan Gallery 2nd floor, Permanent Exhibition Room, Ueno Park 7-20, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0007. MAP
- Exhibition Period: December 17th, 2024 (Tuesday) to January 13th, 2025 (Monday/Holiday).
- Closed: December 28th, 2024 (Saturday) to January 1st, 2025 (Wednesday/Holiday), and January 6th, 2025 (Monday).
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note that the last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
- Admission Fees:
- General/University Students: 630 yen (510 yen for groups of 20 or more).
- High school students and younger, and seniors aged 65 and older: Free.
- The exhibition can be accessed with the permanent exhibition admission fee.
- Official Website: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/event/2024/12hayabusaMMX/
Please Note: The information provided here is subject to change. It is recommended to check the official website of the venue or organizer for the most up-to-date details before your visit.
What is the Hayabusa Space Mission?
The Hayabusa space mission, managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), focused on studying asteroids to understand the early solar system. Launched in 2003, the original Hayabusa mission targeted the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa. Its main goals were to test new space technologies and collect samples from the asteroid’s surface. Despite technical challenges, such as a malfunctioning sampling mechanism and communication issues, Hayabusa returned to Earth in 2010 with asteroid dust, marking the first successful return of asteroid material for analysis.
Following this, the Hayabusa2 mission launched in 2014 to explore the asteroid Ryugu. This mission aimed to collect more substantial samples and conduct detailed scientific observations. Hayabusa2 used advanced techniques, including deploying small rovers and creating an artificial crater to access subsurface material. In December 2020, the spacecraft returned to Earth with a significant cache of samples, expected to provide insights into the building blocks of planets and the origins of water and organic compounds in the solar system.
Both missions have enhanced our understanding of asteroids and demonstrated the feasibility of sample-return missions, setting the stage for future exploration and study of these ancient celestial bodies.
