Drifting Through Space
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- Visualizations by:
- Chris Smith
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- Written by:
- Dan Gallagher
- View full credits
Rotating asteroids have a tough time sticking to their orbits. Their surfaces heat up during the day and cool down at night, giving off radiation that can act as a sort of mini-thruster. This force, called the Yarkovsky effect, can cause rotating asteroids to drift widely over time, making it hard for scientists to predict their long-term risk to Earth. In order to learn more about this process on asteroid Bennu, NASA is sending a spacecraft called OSIRIS-REx to make detailed observations of Bennu's shape, brightness, and surface features. These factors are thought to influence the Yarkovsky effect, and understanding how will enable scientists to better predict the orbit of Bennu and other near-Earth asteroids. Watch the video to learn more.
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Animator
- Chris Smith (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
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Writer
- Dan Gallagher (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
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Scientist
- Edward Beshore (The University of Arizona)
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Producers
- Chris Smith (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
- Dan Gallagher (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
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Narration
- Chris Smith (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
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Narrator
- Chris Smith (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
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