What's Up? The Space Place

Hey Space Placers! Ever wonder how our place in the Universe, the solar system formed? Here is a great 4K video that gives us insight on how astronomers think the solar system came to be. It also gives a description of the NASA  OSIRIS-REx  mission which will reach the asteroid Bennu in December of this year. The spacecraft is in good health and will begin its    last   deep space   maneuver June 28 and instrument checkout in July. I n the video chondrules (thought to be the first solid matter to form in the solar system and basic building blocks for planets) are mentioned. Here is what a large chondrule looks like - it is the large gray spherical shape in this Chelyabinsk meteorite specimen . Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! Just finished up with NASA's pre-launch briefing on the OSIRIS-Rex mission. I have to go through notes and will have more on this amazing asteroid sample return mission tomorrow. In the meantime, read about plans for the 1st COMMERCIAL Asteroid mission . Sky Guy in VA