NASA is always known for the latest discoveries and innovations. Every passing day, the space agency discovers new things about the planets and the particles they contain. This week, however, NASA has discovered some naive things about the Bennu asteroid. The report terms the discovery “astonishing” as it is beyond the expectations of the space agency.
Science Hub / The latest NASA discovery shows that the exterior of the Bennu is too soft and fluffy than expected.
According to the report, NASA had previously believed that the exterior portion of the Bennu asteroid would be rigid and hard. Thus, it would have great resistance in it. Nonetheless, the latest discovery reveals that the exterior of the Bennu asteroid is too soft and has no resistance at all. If one put his steps on the exterior of the Bennu asteroid, the report says, it would have no resistance at all. Instead, it would feel like you are stepping on a mattress.
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The New NASA Discovery is A Consequence of Two Years’ Research
However, it is essential to note that NASA has been gathering ad analyzing data for over two years. This means that this discovery is by no means a mere ‘discovery.’ Rather, it is the consequence of the consistent efforts, research, and analysis that has enabled NASA to discover it.
Tech Center / The space agency has been analyzing and gathering data about the exterior of the Bennu asteroid.
Similarly, the space agency has also made a practical experience by landing a spacecraft on the Bennu asteroid. NASA experts believed that the spacecraft would sink into the Bennu asteroid – because they believed it is too rigid and has great resistance. However, it turned out that the exterior of the Bennu asteroid is very soft (just like a plastic ball) and has no resistance.
Consequently, the spacecraft did not sink. On top of that, the space agency also noticed what they called “a bizarre experience.” It was an unusual act of the spacecraft to leave a vast crater eight meters wide.
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The Nature of The Bennu Asteroid is ‘Unpredictable’
Wikipedia / The space agency asserts that the nature of the Bennu asteroid is unexpected, and more discoveries are likely to follow.
This news was shared by NASA on July 7th, 2022. The report claims that the nature of the Bennu asteroid is always unexpected. As the space agency dives deep and does more in-depth research, it is expected that more discoveries will follow this one.
Nevertheless, it is essential to note that the Bennu asteroid surprised and ‘shocked’ the space agency in 2018. It was by the time when the OSIRIS REx arrived at the Bennu asteroid. Earlier, the space agency believed its shape would be round like a ball. Similarly, NASA expected its nature to be soft and “sandy like a beach.”
Unlike the expectations of NASA, the OSIRIS REx turned out to be not only flat but also “littered with boulders.” With that said, more discoveries are underway, and as per the latest report from NASA, the Bennu asteroid will continue to surprise the space agency in the coming years.
