It’s like a ball pool? New research results on the surface of the asteroid “Bennu” sampled by NASA’s spacecraft | Sorae Portal site to space

First of all, please watch this video released by NASA.This is NASA’s Asteroid Explorer, which took place on October 21, 2020 JST.「Osiris Rex」By (Osiris Rex, Osiris Rex)asteroid BennuThis is a copy of the sample taken from (101955 Pino).

Sample collection device at the bottom of the plane「TAGSAM」With an extension (Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism), Osiris-REx slowly descends towards the surface of the Bennu. One second after contact with the surface, from the tip of the tagsam to the filtered gravel and sand to be collectedNitrogen gas jetsDone.9 seconds after connectingpropulsion planesAfter that, Osiris Rex, who took the sample, walked away from Bennu.

[▲ فيديو يستنسخ مجموعة عينات “TAG” بواسطة مستكشف الكويكبات “Osiris-Rex”]
（Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/CI Lab）

this videoPublished with the announcement of the last two research results on the surface of BennuThis was done. This study reveals that the aggregate on Bennu’s surface is very loosely related. From the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), who led one studyKevin WalshAccordingly, it was made by loosely accumulating aggregate like Bennu.“A rubble heap orb”Since gravity is weak and the upper layer is not compressed, the area below the surface is said to be of low density and weakly connected. It was concluded that these characteristics are not only in the place where the samples were taken, but in Bennu as a whole.

According to NASA, when sampling took place in October 2020, OSIRIS-REx’s TAGSAM was uninhabited by rocks and gravel.50 cm below the surface of BennoSink up.at the time of samplingThe volume of the wrapped rubble is about 6 tonsit is expected that. NASA changes the state of Bennu’s surfaceIt’s like a ball poolOsiris Rex would have drowned in Bennu if he hadn’t sprayed the thrusters to get away from Bennu. If a person abandons Benno, he seems to feel little resistance.

[▲ نظرة عامة على الكويكب “بينو” الذي تم إنشاؤه بناءً على بيانات رصد مستكشف الكويكب “أوزيريس ريكس” على مدار عامين (مصدر الصورة: NASA / Goddard / University of Arizona)]

Based on observational data from Earth and space, it is reported that Bennu’s surface was expected to look like a smooth sandy beach, but OSIRIS-REx arrived in December 2018 and saw a surface with scattered rocks. University of Arizona, OSIRIS-REx Principal InvestigatorDante Loretta“I was completely wrong” about the superficial expectations.

The result of this timeBetter interpretation of observational data from other asteroidsAs well as helping toFuturistic asteroid exploration missionorPlanetary Defense (Planetary Defense *)But it is expected to be useful.

* … efforts to predict celestial impacts that cause massive damage in advance and eventually lead to changing asteroid orbits to prevent catastrophes

In addition, Osiris-Rex left Bennu in May 2021 and headed to Earth, the recovery capsule containing the sample isSeptember 24, 2023It is scheduled to rush into the Earth’s atmosphere and recover.

Connection:NASA’s Osiris Rex asteroid explorer leaves Bennu and returns to Earth

source

• image rights: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/CI . Laboratory
• NASA – Surprise – again! Asteroid Bennu reveals that its surface resembles a plastic ball pit
• SwRI A SwRI-led study provides new insights into the surface, structure of asteroid Bennu

Text / Matsumura Takehiro