In a groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Arizona’s planetary science expert, Dante Lauretta, and the legendary astrophysicist and lead guitarist of Queen, Brian May, “Bennu 3-D: Anatomy of an Asteroid” is set to take the world by storm as the first comprehensive 3D atlas of an asteroid. This extraordinary project stems from their joint undertaking with NASA’s Osiris-Rex mission to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid, Bennu.
A Historic Mission: OSIRIS-REx
The OSIRIS-REx mission (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) marks NASA’s first attempt to return a sample from an ancient asteroid. Launched on September 8, 2016, the mission aimed to explore the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, understand its composition, and shed light on the formation of our solar system.
The Mystique of Asteroid Bennu
Bennu, discovered by the NASA-funded Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research team in 1999, holds an extraordinary place in the history of our cosmos. With scientists estimating its age to be around 4.5 billion years, Bennu is considered one of the oldest remnants from the early solar system. This makes it a cosmic time capsule that could contain molecules present during the formation of life on Earth.
Unraveling the Building Blocks of Life
One of the most captivating aspects of Bennu is its high carbon content. Carbon is a fundamental element for the existence of life as we know it. Given its age, Bennu likely contains pristine material with carbon-based molecules that may offer crucial insights into the origins of life on Earth. Understanding these molecules can deepen our understanding of the conditions that led to the emergence of life in the universe.
Reflective Properties of Bennu
Bennu’s reflective properties set it apart from other celestial bodies in our solar system. While planets like Venus reflect about 65 percent of the light that strikes them, Bennu only reflects approximately four percent. Even Earth, with an average reflectance of 30 percent, appears considerably more reflective when compared to this intriguing asteroid. The study of Bennu’s unique reflectivity can provide scientists with valuable information about its surface composition and physical properties.
The Potential Hazard: Bennu’s Trajectory
Apart from its scientific significance, Bennu also poses potential hazards to our planet. Classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO), Bennu has a non-negligible probability of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century, sometime between 2175 and 2199. Understanding the composition and trajectory of this asteroid is crucial for devising strategies to mitigate the potential threat it may pose in the distant future.
A Mission of Hope: Sample Return
The primary goal of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to collect a sample from Bennu’s surface and return it to Earth for detailed analysis. This sample, expected to arrive on September 24, 2023, has the potential to provide invaluable data about the asteroid’s history and evolution, as well as its potential implications for our understanding of the cosmos.
