Wood Fibrils from Asteroid Bennu: Evidence of Fossilized Biological Structures
All articles by Wretch Fossil are here: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/lin440315&category_id=0
Abstract
High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of a Bennu sample reveals tubular, fibril-like microstructures. Red arrows highlight bundles that measure approximately 0.3–0.8 µm across. These dimensions align with the known terrestrial range of cellulose fibrils in wood cells (1.5–1,000 nm) when considering bundling and mineral replacement. The striking similarity between Bennu’s fibril-like features and terrestrial wood fibrils supports the interpretation of biologically templated structures preserved in asteroid material.
Introduction
Asteroid Bennu, a carbonaceous rubble-pile asteroid, has long been studied as a window into the early Solar System. Recent SEM imagery has revealed intricate submicron structures embedded within Bennu’s regolith grains. One image, in particular, shows elongated fibril-like morphologies that strongly resemble cellulose fibrils found in the walls of wood cells.
Observations
- The SEM image shows bundles of elongated, thread-like structures, highlighted with red arrows.
– The corrected scale indicates these fibrils are 0.3–0.8 µm (300–800 nm) across.
– Each fibril exhibits well-defined margins, consistent with permineralized fibrils.
– Their orientation in parallel and bundled patterns enhances the resemblance to biological fibrils rather than random mineral aggregates.
Comparison with Terrestrial Fibrils
On Earth, cellulose fibrils in wood cells are nanoscale in origin (1.5–10 nm), but they naturally aggregate into bundles and macrofibrils that can reach several hundred nanometers in diameter. Mineralization processes, such as silicification, further stabilize and preserve these fibrils in the fossil record.
Thus, Bennu’s fibrils, measuring 300–800 nm, fall within the terrestrial size spectrum (1.5–1,000 nm) observed for fossilized wood fibrils.
Implications
- The morphological and dimensional agreement with terrestrial cellulose fibrils suggests these are not random abiotic fibers, but likely the preserved remains of once-living cells.
– Their presence on Bennu strengthens the case for extraterrestrial biosignatures preserved in primitive Solar System bodies.
– This finding adds to accumulating evidence that asteroidal material contains remnants of ancient biological structures.
Conclusion
The fibril-like structures observed in Bennu are 0.3–0.8 µm in diameter, consistent with fossilized wood fibrils on Earth (1.5–1,000 nm range). Their organized, bundled morphology strongly supports a biogenic interpretation. Bennu may therefore harbor direct microscopic evidence of fossilized wood fibrils, representing one of the most compelling biosignatures yet discovered in extraterrestrial material.
Wretch Fossil’s website:http://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/
Source: https://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/2025/08/wood-fibrils-from-asteroid-bennu_27.html
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