Asteroid Bennu from a distance of 85 miles

Just days after InSight successfully landed on Mars, another solar system mission is nearing its destination as well. OSIRIS-REx is closing in on Bennu, an asteroid that’s about a third of a mile in diameter. The craft this snapped this image of the asteroid on November 16, from a range of about 85 miles. OSIRIS-REx will move even closer to the asteroid over the next few days, with its official “arrival” scheduled for December 3. In 2020, the craft will touch down on the asteroid and scoop up a sample of surface material for return to Earth. [NASA/GSFC/Univ. Arizona]

Find out more in our radio program entitled OSIRIS-REx.

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