NASA Just Pick-Pocketed an Asteroid
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx appears to have just successfully nabbed some material from the surface of asteroid Bennu. The next step is to return the sample to Earth for study for clues about the early solar system, but today’s successful encounter is a critical milestone for the mission.
Artist’s impression of asteroid Bennu / Credit: NASA
You can watch a Q&A with NASA scientists here:
Sky & Telescope’s detailed article is linked here:
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/osiris-rex-to-perform-touch-and-go-sampling-at-bennu/
You can watch NASA’s live stream of the landing attempt here:
https://www.asteroidmission.org/?latest-news=watch-osiris-rex-sample-collection-activities
Don’t forget to view Mars in the eastern sky after twilight, having just passed opposition it will remain prominent for the coming weeks and visible the rest of the year.
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Stay well, and clear skies!