By 
October 11th, 2023
Near-Earth asteroid Bennu is 1,600 feet (500 meters) wide and contains hydrated minerals, according to scientists working on the NASA OSIRIS-REx spacecraft mission.
Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona
The early science look at NASA’s OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Regolith Explorer) has begun. Initial studies of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected show evidence of high-carbon content and water, which together could indicate the building blocks of life on Earth may be found in the rock. Still to come, opening up the large canister that holds the majority of the asteroid collectibles.
Also, go to my Scientific American story at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/osiris-rexs-asteroid-samples-are-finally-down-to-earth/
Image credit: NASA TV/Inside Outer Space
Image credit: NASA TV/Inside Outer Space
Image credit: NASA TV/Inside Outer Space
Image credit: NASA TV/Inside Outer Space
Image credit: NASA TV/Inside Outer Space
Posted in Space News
