this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2023
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I can be a bit of a space nerd at times, so quite excited to read about the successful return to Earth of a sample taken from an asteroid that's whizzing around the sun. The mission set off over 7 years ago sent a robotic probe to map the asteroid, collect samples and came back to Earth drop to them off by parachute in a capsule. The probe then turned around and is now heading towards a different asteroid. Cool.
Was it the Andromeda asteroid? π¨
first Bennu, then Apophis. Both have a tiny chance of hitting us. The latter will get closer to Earth than geostationary satellites in April 2029.
π
Itβs fine. We now know how to punch an asteroid. Bennu will get close in 2182 which is why NASA is collecting samples to see what it is made of in case we have to punch it. Osiris-Rex (the satellite this time) will join Apophisβs orbit after it approaches Earth in 2029 to observe how its orbit changes after flying so close to us.
you are dreadful π
https://spaceweather.com/ scroll to the bottom and you'll see a list of close encounters. I don't worry much about the large ones we know about and can track, but ones we don't manage to find yet.
you just won't let my joke get any air, will you π
Air. Before asteroids hit the Earth, they first explode because of friction with the atmosphere. The shockwaves can break windows. A recent one occurred in Russia.
That is really cool! Can't wait to see what they find out
it really is awesome in the truest meaning of the word π