Watch NASA Launch OSIRIS-REx to an Asteroid!
Don't miss the launch of OSIRIS-REx tomorrow, Thursday, September 8, 2016!! You can watch coverage of the launch beginning at 13:30 PDT (the actual launch window opens at 16:05 PDT) online via NASA TV at this website:
What is OSIRIS-REx?
OSIRIS-REx is a spacecraft that is traveling to an asteroid called "Bennu," then collecting data about Bennu, taking a sample of the asteroid, and bringing the asteroid sample back to Earth!
Learn more at:
Get involved! Follow the mission on social media:
Twitter: @OSIRISREx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSIRISREx/
#ToBennuAndBack
Anthropologist's Note: The idea of visiting an asteroid is pretty exciting just by itself, but this event has implications for humans far beyond just providing new scientific information about asteroids. The material on the asteroid will be the same material that the early Solar System was made of. This will give scientists important information about how life evolved on Earth, and even provide clues about the possibility of life in other places in the solar system. The infomation obtained from Bennu on this highly controversial topic will have many implications for people around the world. In addition, OSIRIS-REx will be able to obtain detailed information on Bennu, which has a relatively high probability of hitting the Earth. This information will allow scientists to develop better asteroid impact mitigation plans, helping to protect all forms of life on our planet.
How fascinating. I have so many questions. First, how have they determined that the astroid has the material that will be the same as that of the early solar system? How would they possibly know?
ReplyDeleteSecond, so glad someone is developing a plan! Sounds right out of a good science fiction!
Hi Linda! I agree--this mission is very fascinating! It does sound just like it was taken out of a science fiction novel. I think it is a great time to be alive and witnessing these remarkable events! Thanks for submitting such great questions. About your question regarding how scientists know that the asteroid Bennu has the same materials as the early solar system: Scientists have been studying asteroids in various ways for some time, and one way is through studying fragments of asteroids that land on the Earth (these fragments of asteroids are called meteorites). The materials on the insides of some asteroids are distinct from things seen on the planets in the solar system, and also, many minerals they have seen are only found in these asteroid fragments. In addition, asteroids that belong to a certain type (called carbonaceous asteroids) have been found to have special chemicals and minerals and things like amino acids in them. This is important because scientists have already figured out that these things formed in the beginning of the solar system. Bennu is one of these carbonaceous asteroids, so if we can actually get a spacecraft to that asteroid, we could get a sample of these sorts of special materials directly from the asteroid and learn so much more about all this! If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask! Thank you!
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