What has NASA's OSIRIS-REx discovered around the asteroid Bennu?

The video discusses the OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu, highlighting its unique orbit and mapping efforts. The mission aims to collect a pristine sample from Bennu's surface, providing insights into the asteroid's composition and history. Initial findings reveal unexpected hydrated materials and dynamic activity, including ejection events and a gradual increase in rotation speed due to the YORP effect. The mission faces challenges in selecting safe landing sites due to Bennu's boulder-covered surface. Future steps include finalizing the sample collection site and executing the collection maneuver.

What makes Bennu a unique target for the OSIRIS-REx mission?

• It is the closest asteroid to Earth.

• It is the largest asteroid ever orbited.

• It is the smallest object ever orbited.

• It has a strong gravitational pull.

Why is it important to collect samples directly from Bennu rather than relying on meteorites that land on Earth?

• Meteorites are too small to study.

• Meteorites are not made of the same materials as asteroids.

• Meteorites are too rare to find.

• Meteorites are altered by Earth's atmosphere.

What unexpected discovery did OSIRIS-REx make about Bennu's surface?

• It has a smooth surface.

• It has active volcanoes.

• It is covered with ice.

• It is covered with large boulders.

What is the significance of finding hydrated minerals on Bennu?

• It suggests Bennu once had liquid water.

• It proves Bennu is made of metal.

• It shows Bennu is a young asteroid.

• It indicates Bennu is a volcanic asteroid.

What are the names of the smaller landing sites chosen for sample collection on Bennu?

• Pelican, Heron, Crane, and Stork

• Hawk, Owl, Dove, and Swallow

• Osprey, Kingfisher, Nightingale, and Sandpiper

• Eagle, Falcon, Sparrow, and Robin

What dynamic activity was observed on Bennu by OSIRIS-REx?

• Atmospheric storms

• Seismic activity

• Material ejection events

• Volcanic eruptions

What effect is causing Bennu's rotation to gradually speed up?

• The Doppler effect

• The Coriolis effect

• The greenhouse effect

• The YORP effect