What does Bennu look like?

 

Before we dive in about this extraordinary asteroid, we’re gonna let you know how it looks.

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Bennu is a carbonaceous asteroid, meaning that it classifies as C-type. These are the most common types of asteroids, belonging to 75% of the belt. Its composition includes large amounts of carbon, in addition to rocks. Some of the fragments inside Bennu could be older than the solar system, meaning that it has been around for a while. It has the mass of about -78 billion kilograms and its radius measures 200m, according to NASA. In fact, it is said that Bennu is taller than the Empire State Building, and about the size of five football fields!

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You may be asking yourself, "Why should I care about Bennu? There are 700,000 asteroids in space, so what makes Bennu so special?"

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Obtaining a sample from Bennu will help answer many questions about our origin and history, clearing up many doubts scientists may have. Unlike most asteroids, Bennu’s orbit is close in proximity to Earth’s, crossing it every once in a while. Also, it rotates slow enough, allowing astronauts to get information from it and have a safe operation. This makes it the perfect target to solve our doubts, since it's easier for them to reach the asteroid without using too much energy and without risking their lives. 

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There’s just one problem about this asteroid, though. It has been said that it will most likely hit Earth in a few years. You may not experience this event, but your grandchildren may!