Bennu

== Overview: ==
Bennu, is an asteroid located in our the asteroid belt of the solar system, formally known as 101955 Bennu, is a near-Earth asteroid that belongs to the Apollo group. It has become a focal point of study and exploration, particularly through NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission that went there in 2018.
== Physical Characteristics: ==
Bennu is a relatively small asteroid, with a mean diameter of approximately 490 meters (1,610 feet). This size is comparable to that of a few city blocks or the height of a skyscraper. It is categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) due to its proximity to Earth's orbit and its potential to impact our planet in the distant future. Bennu has a somewhat irregular shape, resembling a spinning top or a rough, rocky diamond.
== Orbit and Location: ==
Bennu follows an orbit that brings it relatively close to Earth, which is one of the reasons it has drawn so much attention. Its semi-major axis is about 1.126 astronomical units (AU), with an orbital period of approximately 1.2 years. Bennu is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO), and its orbit intersects with Earth's, making it accessible for study and potential future missions.
== OSIRIS-REx Mission: ==
Bennu became the target of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, which stands for "Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security - Regolith Explorer." Launched in September 2016, this spacecraft rendezvoused with Bennu in December 2018 and commenced an extensive survey of the asteroid. The mission's main objectives include mapping Bennu's surface, studying its composition, and returning a sample of its regolith (surface material) to Earth.
== Composition and Origins: ==
Bennu is believed to be a primitive, carbon-rich asteroid, which makes it a time capsule from the early solar system. Scientists theorize that it contains valuable information about the building blocks of planets and the origins of life on Earth.
== Gallery: ==
Category:Objects
Category:Real objects
Category:Asteroids
Category:Solar System