Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Bennu Candidate Sample Site: Osprey

Bennu Candidate Sample Site: Osprey
Bennu Candidate Sample Site: Osprey Site Osprey is located on asteroid Bennu at 88° E and 11° N. Located near Bennu’s equator, it is set in a small crater with a 10 meter radius. Two areas within the crater are being evaluated for sample collection: one east of the crater’s center and one west of the crater’s center. Both areas have a 5 meter radius. Given Osprey’s geographical position on Bennu’s equatorial bulge, it is possible that the region contains material from both the northern and southern hemispheres. The diversity of rock types in Osprey’s surrounding area suggests that the regolith within the sampling regions is also diverse. Osprey has the strongest spectral signature for carbon-rich material among the 4 sites. It also ranks second for the highest albedo and color variation among the candidate sites. A large, dark (low albedo) patch of material in the center of the site is of high scientific interest for the mission team.This image was taken by OSIRIS REx's OCAMS (PolyCam) instrument on 21 March 2019. NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona