Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Early fluid activity on Ryugu inferred by isotopic analyses of carbonates and magnetite

Nature Astronomy volume 7, pages 309–317 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Samples from asteroid Ryugu returned by the Hayabusa2 mission contain evidence of extensive alteration by aqueous fluids and appear related to the CI chondrites. To understand the sources of the fluid and the timing of chemical reactions occurring during the alteration processes, we investigated the oxygen, carbon and 53Mn–53Cr systematics of carbonate and magnetite in two Ryugu particles. We find that the fluid was initially between 0 and 20 °C and enriched in 13C, 17O and 18O, and subsequently evolved towards lighter carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions as alteration proceeded. Carbonate ages show that this fluid–rock interaction took place within approximately the first 1.8 million years of Solar System history, requiring early accretion either in a planetesimal less than ∼20 km in diameter or within a larger body that was disrupted and reassembled.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Backscattered electron images of carbonate in Ryugu particles A0037 and C0009.
Fig. 2: Oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonate and magnetite in Ryugu particles A0037 and C0009.
Fig. 3: Stacked histogram of C isotopic compositions of carbonate in Ryugu particles A0037 and C0009 relative to Vienna PeeDee Belemnite.
Fig. 4: Mn–Cr isochrons for carbonates in Ryugu particles A0037 and C0009.
Fig. 5: Carbon isotopic compositions (relative to Vienna PeeDee Belemnite) of Ryugu dolomite (yellow triangles) and Ca-carbonate (blue squares) versus δ18O and Δ17O from the same carbonate grains.

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to K.A.M. and N.M. All analytical data related to this manuscript will be put on the JAXA Data ARchives and Transmission System (https://www.darts.isas.jaxa.jp/curation/hayabusa2) after a 1-year proprietary period.

References

  1. Yada, T. et al. Preliminary analysis of the Hayabusa2 samples returned from C-type asteroid Ryugu. Nat. Astron. 6, 214–220 (2022).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pilorget, C. et al. First compositional analysis of Ryugu samples by the MicrOmega hyperspectral microscope. Nat. Astron. 6, 221–225 (2022).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ito, M. et al. A pristine record of outer solar system materials from asteroid Ryugu’s returned sample. Nat. Astron. 6, 1163–1171 (2022).

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. Yokoyama, T. et al. Samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu are similar to Ivuna-type carbonaceous meteorites. Science 0, eabn7850 (2022).

  5. Nakamura, E. et al. On the origin and evolution of the asteroid Ryugu: a comprehensive geochemical perspective. Proc. Jpn Acad. Ser. B 98, 227–282 (2022).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Greenwood, R. C. et al. Oxygen isotope evidence from asteroid Ryugu for early water delivery to Earth by CI chondrites. Nat. Astron. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01824-7 (2022).

  7. King, A. J., Schofield, P. F., Howard, K. T. & Russell, S. S. Modal mineralogy of CI and CI-like chondrites by X-ray diffraction. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 165, 148–160 (2015).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Alfing, J., Patzek, M. & Bischoff, A. Modal abundances of coarse-grained (>5 μm) components within CI-chondrites and their individual clasts – mixing of various lithologies on the CI parent body(ies). Geochemistry 79, 125532 (2019).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Leshin, L. A., Rubin, A. E. & McKeegan, K. D. The oxygen isotopic composition of olivine and pyroxene from CI chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 61, 835–845 (1997).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Clayton, R. N. & Mayeda, T. K. Oxygen isotope studies of carbonaceous chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 63, 2089–2104 (1999).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fujiya, W., Sugiura, N., Sano, Y. & Hiyagon, H. Mn–Cr ages of dolomites in CI chondrites and the Tagish Lake ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 362, 130–142 (2013).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Visser, R., John, T., Whitehouse, M. J., Patzek, M. & Bischoff, A. A short-lived 26Al induced hydrothermal alteration event in the outer solar system: constraints from Mn/Cr ages of carbonates. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 547, 116440 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Clayton, R. N. & Mayeda, T. K. The oxygen isotope record in Murchison and other carbonaceous chondrites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 67, 151–161 (1984).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rowe, M. W., Clayton, R. N. & Mayeda, T. K. Oxygen isotopes in separated components of CI and CM meteorites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 58, 5341–5347 (1994).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Tyra, M. A., Farquhar, J., Guan, Y. & Leshin, L. A. An oxygen isotope dichotomy in CM2 chondritic carbonates—a SIMS approach. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 77, 383–395 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lee, M. R., Sofe, M. R., Lindgren, P., Starkey, N. A. & Franchi, I. A. The oxygen isotope evolution of parent body aqueous solutions as recorded by multiple carbonate generations in the Lonewolf Nunataks 94101 CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 121, 452–466 (2013).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lee, M. R., Lindgren, P. & Sofe, M. R. Aragonite, breunnerite, calcite and dolomite in the CM carbonaceous chondrites: high fidelity recorders of progressive parent body aqueous alteration. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 144, 126–156 (2014).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fujiya, W. et al. Comprehensive study of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions, trace element abundances, and cathodoluminescence intensities of calcite in the Murchison CM chondrite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 161, 101–117 (2015).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tyra, M., Brearley, A. & Guan, Y. Episodic carbonate precipitation in the CM chondrite ALH 84049: an ion microprobe analysis of O and C isotopes. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 175, 195–207 (2016).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Vacher, L. G., Marrocchi, Y., Villeneuve, J., Verdier-Paoletti, M. J. & Gounelle, M. Petrographic and C & O isotopic characteristics of the earliest stages of aqueous alteration of CM chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 213, 271–290 (2017).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. Verdier-Paoletti, M. J. et al. Oxygen isotope constraints on the alteration temperatures of CM chondrites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 458, 273–281 (2017).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Vacher, L. G., Marrocchi, Y., Villeneuve, J., Verdier-Paoletti, M. J. & Gounelle, M. Collisional and alteration history of the CM parent body. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 239, 213–234 (2018).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Telus, M., Alexander, C. M. O., Hauri, E. H. & Wang, J. Calcite and dolomite formation in the CM parent body: insight from in situ C and O isotope analyses. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 260, 275–291 (2019).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. Piralla, M. et al. Primordial water and dust of the solar system: insights from in situ oxygen measurements of CI chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 269, 451–464 (2020).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bischoff, A. et al. The old, unique C1 chondrite Flensburg – insight into the first processes of aqueous alteration, brecciation, and the diversity of water-bearing parent bodies and lithologies. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 293, 142–186 (2021).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sakamoto, N. et al. Remnants of the early solar system water enriched in heavy oxygen isotopes. Science 317, 231–233 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Liu, M.-C. et al. Incorporation of 16O-rich anhydrous silicates in the protolith of highly hydrated asteroid Ryugu. Nat. Astron. 6, 1172–1177 (2022).

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  28. Alexander, C. M. O., Fogel, M., Yabuta, H. & Cody, G. D. The origin and evolution of chondrites recorded in the elemental and isotopic compositions of their macromolecular organic matter. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 71, 4380–4403 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sephton, M. A., Pillinger, C. T. & Gilmour, I. Aromatic moieties in meteoritic macromolecular materials: analyses by hydrous pyrolysis and δ13C of individual compounds. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 321–328 (2000).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hässig, M. et al. Isotopic composition of CO2 in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured with ROSINA/DFMS. Astron. Astrophys. 605, A50 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Fujiya, W., Aoki, Y., Ushikubo, T., Hashizume, K. & Yamaguchi, A. Carbon isotopic evolution of aqueous fluids in CM chondrites: clues from in-situ isotope analyses within calcite grains in Yamato-791198. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 274, 246–260 (2020).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  32. Guo, W. & Eiler, J. M. Temperatures of aqueous alteration and evidence for methane generation on the parent bodies of the CM chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 71, 5565–5575 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  33. Alexander, C. M. O., Bowden, R., Fogel, M. L. & Howard, K. T. Carbonate abundances and isotopic compositions in chondrites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 50, 810–833 (2015).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Fujiya, W. et al. Migration of D-type asteroids from the outer solar system inferred from carbonate in meteorites. Nat. Astron. 3, 910–915 (2019).

  35. Zito, K. L., McKeegan, K. D., Kerridge, J. F., Hutcheon, I. D. & Leshin, L. A. Aqueous alteration on the CI parent body: evidence from oxygen and carbon isotopic studies of single carbonate grains from Orgueil. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. Suppl. 33, 171 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Fujiya, W., Sugiura, N., Hotta, H., Ichimura, K. & Sano, Y. Evidence for the late formation of hydrous asteroids from young meteoritic carbonates. Nat. Commun. 3, 627 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Sugiura, N. & Ichimura, K. Mn/Cr relative sensitivity factors for synthetic calcium carbonate measured with a NanoSIMS ion microprobe. Geochem. J. 44, e11–e16 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Steele, R. C. J., Heber, V. S. & McKeegan, K. D. Matrix effects on the relative sensitivity factors for manganese and chromium during ion microprobe analysis of carbonate: implications for early solar system chronology. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 201, 245–259 (2017).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. McCain, K. A., Liu, M.-C. & McKeegan, K. D. Calibration of matrix-dependent biases in isotope and trace element analyses of carbonate minerals. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 38, 044005 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Yamaguchi, A. et al. Fresh insight into geological evolution of C-type asteroids from Ryugu particles. Nat. Astron. (in the press).

  41. McKibbin, S. J., Ireland, T. R., Amelin, Y. & Holden, P. Mn–Cr dating of Fe- and Ca-rich olivine from ‘quenched’ and ‘plutonic’ angrite meteorites using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 157, 13–27 (2015).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. Brennecka, G. A. & Wadhwa, M. Uranium isotope compositions of the basaltic angrite meteorites and the chronological implications for the early solar system. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 109, 9299–9303 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  43. Amelin, Y. U–Pb ages of angrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 72, 221–232 (2008).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  44. Amelin, Y. et al. U–Pb chronology of the solar system’s oldest solids with variable 238U/235U. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 300, 343–350 (2010).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. Jilly, C. E. et al. 53Mn–53Cr dating of aqueously formed carbonates in the CM2 lithology of the Sutter’s Mill carbonaceous chondrite. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 49, 2104–2117 (2014).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  46. Hayles, J., Gao, C., Cao, X., Liu, Y. & Bao, H. Theoretical calibration of the triple oxygen isotope thermometer. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 235, 237–245 (2018).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. Horita, J. Oxygen and carbon isotope fractionation in the system dolomite–water–CO2 to elevated temperatures. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 129, 111–124 (2014).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  48. Saccocia, P. J., Seewald, J. S. & Shanks, W. C. Oxygen isotope fractionation in the portlandite–water and brucite–water systems from 125 to 450 °C, 50 MPa. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 169, 137–151 (2015).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  49. Zolensky, M., Barrett, R. & Browning, L. Mineralogy and composition of matrix and chondrule rims in carbonaceous chondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 57, 3123–3148 (1993).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  50. McCain, K. A., Young, E. D. & Manning, C. E. CM carbonates should be old: insights from parent body thermal modeling. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. Suppl. 48, 2181 (2017).

  51. Zhou, Q. et al. SIMS Pb–Pb and U–Pb age determination of eucrite zircons at <5 μm scale and the first 50 Ma of the thermal history of Vesta. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 110, 152–175 (2013).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  52. Watanabe, S. et al. Hayabusa2 arrives at the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu—a spinning top–shaped rubble pile. Science 364, 268–272 (2019).

  53. Tomioka, N. et al. Calibrating the shock regime experienced by the regolith particles of hydrated asteroid Ryugu. Nat. Astron. (in the press).

  54. Kleine, T. et al. The non-carbonaceous–carbonaceous meteorite dichotomy. Space Sci. Rev. 216, 55 (2020).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  55. Kruijer, T. S., Burkhardt, C., Budde, G. & Kleine, T. Age of Jupiter inferred from the distinct genetics and formation times of meteorites. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 114, 6712–6716 (2017).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  56. Sugiura, N. & Fujiya, W. Correlated accretion ages and ε54Cr of meteorite parent bodies and the evolution of the solar nebula. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 49, 772–787 (2014).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  57. Desch, S. J., Kalyaan, A. & Alexander, C. M. O. The effect of Jupiter’s formation on the distribution of refractory elements and inclusions in meteorites. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 238, 11 (2018).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  58. Śliwiński, M. G. et al. Secondary ion mass spectrometry bias on isotope ratios in dolomite–ankerite, part I: δ18O matrix effects. Geostand. Geoanalytical Res. 40, 157–172 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Śliwiński, M. G. et al. Secondary ion mass spectrometry bias on isotope ratios in dolomite–ankerite, part II: δ13C matrix effects. Geostand. Geoanalytical Res. 40, 173–184 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Papanastassiou, D. A. Chromium isotopic anomalies in the Allende meteorite. Astrophys. J. 308, L27–L30 (1986).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  61. York, D., Evensen, N. M., Martı́nez, M. L. & De Basabe Delgado, J. Unified equations for the slope, intercept, and standard errors of the best straight line. Am. J. Phys. 72, 367–375 (2004).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank all scientists and engineers of the Hayabusa2 project, whose dedication and skill brought these precious particles back to Earth. This research was supported in part by the JSPS KAKENHI (under grant numbers JP18K18795 and JP18H04468 to M.I., JP20H01965 to N.T., JP18H05479 (Innovative Areas ‘MFS Materials Science’) to M.U., JP19H01959 to A.Y., JP18K03729 to M.K., JP21K03652 to N.I., JP17H06459 to T.U., JP19K03958 to M.A., JP17H06459 to T.Ohigashi, JP18K03830 to T.Y. and JP17H06459 and JP19H01951 to S.W.), by the NIPR Research Project (grant number KP307 to A.Y.), by the NESSF19R (grant number 20-PLANET20R-0004 to K.A.M.) and by NASA grants (grant numbers 80NSSC20K0759 and 80NSSC18K0602 to M.-C.L. and 80NSSC19K0937 to K.D.M.). We thank E. Young for discussions of the implications of the data and for the parent body modelling code. This article was improved by a constructive review by J. Hopp. The UCLA ion microprobe facility is partially supported by a grant from the NSF Instrumentation and Facilities Program. Ion implantation of carbonate standards was performed by CuttingEdge Ions and surface profilometry was performed at the Molecular Materials Research Center at the Beckman Institute at Caltech.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Kaitlyn A. McCain

    Present address: Jacobs Jets II Contract, NASA-Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

  2. Ming-Chang Liu

    Present address: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA

  3. Yu Kodama

    Present address: Toyo Corp., Tokyo, Japan

  4. These authors contributed equally: Kaitlyn A. McCain, Nozomi Matsuda.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Kaitlyn A. McCain, Nozomi Matsuda, Ming-Chang Liu & Kevin D. McKeegan

  2. National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Tachikawa, Japan

    Akira Yamaguchi, Makoto Kimura & Naoya Imae

  3. Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC), Nankoku, Japan

    Naotaka Tomioka & Motoo Ito

  4. Japan Synchrotron Radiation Institute (JASRI/SPring-8), Sayo, Japan

    Masayuki Uesugi & Kentaro Uesugi

  5. Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan

    Naoki Shirai

  6. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Japan

    Naoki Shirai

  7. UVSOR Synchrotron Facility, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki, Japan

    Takuji Ohigashi & Hayato Yuzawa

  8. Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan

    Takuji Ohigashi

  9. Planetary and Space Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

    Richard C. Greenwood

  10. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Japan

    Aiko Nakato, Kasumi Yogata, Yuzuru Karouji, Satoru Nakazawa, Tatsuaki Okada, Takanao Saiki, Satoshi Tanaka, Makoto Yoshikawa, Akiko Miyazaki, Masahiro Nishimura, Toru Yada, Masanao Abe, Tomohiro Usui & Yuichi Tsuda

  11. Marine Works Japan, Ltd., Yokosuka, Japan

    Yu Kodama

  12. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan

    Kaori Hirahara

  13. Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan

    Ikuya Sakurai & Ikuo Okada

  14. Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Atsugi, Japan

    Fuyuto Terui

  15. Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan

    Sei-ichiro Watanabe

  16. The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Hayama, Japan

    Yuichi Tsuda

Authors
  1. Kaitlyn A. McCain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nozomi Matsuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ming-Chang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kevin D. McKeegan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Akira Yamaguchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Makoto Kimura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Naotaka Tomioka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Motoo Ito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Naoya Imae
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Masayuki Uesugi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Naoki Shirai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Takuji Ohigashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Richard C. Greenwood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Kentaro Uesugi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Aiko Nakato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Kasumi Yogata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. Hayato Yuzawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  18. Yu Kodama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  19. Kaori Hirahara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  20. Ikuya Sakurai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  21. Ikuo Okada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  22. Yuzuru Karouji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  23. Satoru Nakazawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  24. Tatsuaki Okada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  25. Takanao Saiki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  26. Satoshi Tanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  27. Fuyuto Terui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  28. Makoto Yoshikawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  29. Akiko Miyazaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  30. Masahiro Nishimura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  31. Toru Yada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  32. Masanao Abe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  33. Tomohiro Usui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  34. Sei-ichiro Watanabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  35. Yuichi Tsuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

K.A.M. and N.M. led the project and wrote the initial draft. K.A.M., N.M., M.-C.L., A.Y., N.T., M.I., M.U., N.I., N.S., T. Ohigashi, M.K., K.U., A.N., K.Y., H.Y. and Y. Kodama conducted sample handling, preparation and mounting processes of Ryugu grains. M.I., N.T., T. Ohigashi, M.U., K.U., H.Y., Y. Karouji, K.H., I.S., I.O. and K.U. developed universal sample holders for multiple instruments. A.Y., M.K., N.I., M.I. and N.T. performed SEM-EDS analysis. A.Y. conducted electron probe microanalysis and data reduction. K.A.M., N.M. and M.-C.L. carried out oxygen, carbon and Mn–Cr isotope measurements of anhydrous carbonate and magnetite with SIMS. A.N., K.Y., A.M., M.N., T.Y., T. Okada, M.A. and T.U. led the JAXA curation activities for initial characterization of allocated Ryugu particles. S.N., T. Okada, T.S., S.T., F.T., M.Y., S.W. and Y.T. administered the project and acted as principal investigators. All authors contributed to the data interpretation, commented on the earlier versions of the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Kaitlyn A. McCain or Nozomi Matsuda.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Peer review

Peer review information

Nature Astronomy thanks J. Hopp, A. King and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Text, Supplementary Figs. 1–4, Supplementary Tables 1–7.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

McCain, K.A., Matsuda, N., Liu, MC. et al. Early fluid activity on Ryugu inferred by isotopic analyses of carbonates and magnetite. Nat Astron 7, 309–317 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01863-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-022-01863-0

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing