Summary:
- Asteroid Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid, has been the subject of intense scientific study. Researchers have been puzzled by the asteroid's unusual surface features, including the presence of large boulders and a lack of fine-grained material.
- Using data collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which has been orbiting Bennu since 2018, scientists have now solved the mystery of the asteroid's surface. They discovered that the surface is covered in a layer of loose, fine-grained material that is constantly being churned and redistributed by the asteroid's own gravity and the impact of small meteoroids.
- This finding helps explain the lack of fine-grained material on the surface and the presence of large boulders, which are likely the result of the constant churning and resurfacing of the asteroid. Understanding the dynamics of Bennu's surface is crucial for planning future asteroid exploration and mining missions.