"Our initial checks showed no previously cataloged object in that position in space."

NASA probe exploring asteroid accidentally photographs black hole

Hungry Hungry Black Hole

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft made an unexpected discovery, spotting a black hole emitting a massive cloud of X-rays some 30,000 light years away.

NASA Probe Exploring Asteroid Accidentally Snaps Black Hole Image

It's the first time an outburst of X-rays of this kind was detected from interplanetary space.

"No one has ever seen an active asteroid up close like this."

NASA baffled: asteroid Bennu keeps spitting out small rocks

Vomiting Rocks

a recent discovery about 1,600-foot space rock Bennu has scientists scratching their heads: it keeps spitting up small asteroid particles.

NASA Baffled: Asteroid Bennu Keeps Spitting Out Small Rocks

"We're not talking about an asteroid that could destroy the Earth."

NASA photographs asteroid that could smash into Earth in 22nd century

Roid Rage

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft just zipped really close to tiny asteroid Bennu to snap an incredibly detailed image.

NASA Photographs Asteroid That Could Smash Into Earth in 22nd Century

Say "cheese!"

It's a tantalizing peek at the early solar system.

A NASA probe just found evidence of water on a distant asteroid

Off World

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft found evidence of "hydrated minerals" on the surface of Bennu, an asteroid millions of miles away.

A NASA Probe Just Found Evidence of Water on a Distant Asteroid

"This is a great surprise."

There's a 1 in 2,700 chance the Bennu asteroid will collide with the Earth between 2175 and 2196.

OSIRIS-REx will pass within 11,000 miles of Earth on Friday

Last year, NASA launched a spacecraft dubbed OSIRIS-REx, embarking on a mission to investigate an asteroid known as Bennu.

OSIRIS-REx Will Pass Within 11,000 Miles of Earth on Friday

"We're essentially stealing a bit of the earth's momentum as we go by."

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has launched aboard an Atlas V 411 rocket. It's headed towards the asteroid Bennu, which could hold some pretty incredible secrets about our origins. It's so incredible that the principle investigator of the mission already has plans for a second trip. 

To Bennu and Back: NASA Just Launched the First-Ever Asteroid Return Mission

This is the largest sample return since Apollo 17.

Hard Science

Born from the rubble of a violent collision, hurled through space for millions of years and dismembered by the gravity of planets, asteroid Bennu had a tough life in a rough neighborhood: the early solar system. “Bennu’s Journey,” a new animation created at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, shows what’s known and what remains mysterious […]

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