Planets and Moons  Universe  ID: 10974

Most Wanted

Story by Elizabeth Zubritsky | Visualizations by Chris Meaney Released on May 17, 2012
Download Options
NASA invites amateur astronomers to investigate key asteroids.
There are about 600,000 asteroids in the solar system. That's roughly one for every person living in Washington, D.C. And with more of these rocky objects being found all the time, it's becoming harder to keep track of them all. That's why NASA scientists have assembled a most-wanted list of about six-dozen asteroids that, with the help of amateur astronomers, will be studied in preparation for the first U.S. asteroid sample return mission. Scheduled for launch in 2016, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will orbit asteroid 1999 RQ36 and collect a sample from the surface that is returned to Earth. Analysis of the primitive material will not only reveal new information about the molecular origins of life and how the early solar system formed, but also provide insight into the behavior and movement of near-Earth objects in space. Watch the video below to see how the spacecraft will obtain a sample from the asteroid.
Download Options
Although its composition is unknown, scientists think asteroid 1999 RQ36 is made up of materials present when the solar system formed.
Download Options
At least 2 ounces of sample will be collected from the asteroid, which is about 1,900 feet in diameter.
Download Options
The asteroid sample will be placed inside a capsule that is jettisoned from the spacecraft and returned to Earth.
Download Options
Simulated cratering and topography are overlaid on radar imagery of asteroid 1999 RQ36.
Download Options
Pop radar! Doppler images, presented in the style of Andy Warhol, show views of asteroid 1999 RQ36 from Earth.
Download Options
Amateur astronomers can join "Target Asteroids!" which complements observing campaigns by amateurs and NASA's Near-Earth Object Program.
 

Related Story

OSIRIS-REx Animations

For More Information

NASA.gov

Story Credits

Lead Visualizer/Animator:
Chris Meaney (HTSI)

Video Editor:
Chris Smith (HTSI)

Producer:
Chris Smith (HTSI)

Lead Scientists:
Dante Lauretta (The University of Arizona)
Dolores Hill (The University of Arizona)
Carl Hergenrother (The University of Arizona)

Lead Writer:
Elizabeth Zubritsky (ADNET)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Asteroid belt image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (SSC)
Doppler radar image courtesy of NASA/JPL/Goldstone
Simulated cratering image courtesy of NASA/GSFC/UA/Mike Nolan-Arecibo Observatory/Bob Gaskell-Planetary Science Institute
Spacecraft images courtesy of NASA/GSFC/UA
Astronomers image courtesy of Babak Tafreshi/The World at Night

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10974

Keywords:
SVS >> App
NASA Science >> Planets and Moons
NASA Science >> Universe