Bennu

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Asteroid Bennu is a primitive carbonaceous asteroid that orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 1.2 astronomical units (AU). The asteroid's size is estimated to be approximately 500 meters in diameter, and its shape is roughly ellipsoidal. Bennu's surface temperature can reach up to 100 degrees Celsius during the day due to direct sunlight exposure, while nighttime temperatures can drop as low as -67 degrees Celsius. This extreme temperature fluctuation suggests that the asteroid has no atmosphere or atmosphere too thin to regulate temperature variations. Its composition consists primarily of silicate minerals, with a significant presence of carbonates and organics, which are essential components in the formation of life-bearing planetary bodies. Bennu is also believed to be a relic from the early solar system's accretion process, providing valuable insights into its evolution history. The asteroid's surface displays a mix of dark and light-colored regions, possibly resulting from varying levels of exposure to space weathering. These characteristics make Bennu an ideal target for further study in understanding the processes that shape small bodies like itself in our solar system.