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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Disturbing an asteroid

Disturbing an asteroid
Disturbing an asteroid This artwork from International Association of Astronomical Artists member Christopher Doll shows OSIRIS- REx approaching the asteroid Bennu with the Sun shining in the background. “I wanted to capture the aftermath of OSIRIS-REx’s sample retrieval from asteroid Bennu,” said Doll, “with a hint of escaping debris as it sped on its way back to orbit. To the surprise of many, myself included, Bennu’s surface wasn’t nearly as solid as anticipated. We were left with a new understanding of the composition of asteroids. The image was constructed using available 3D data on the asteroid Bennu and the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. I used Blender3D to compose the elements in this dramatic scene. Final details and adjustments were added in Photoshop.” Christopher Doll