Eruptions on Asteroid Bennu Hint at Causes of Space Rock Explosions

space.com ^ | 12/05/2019 | Charles Q. Choi

[BenLurkin]

Astronomers have discovered more than 20,000 so-called near-Earth asteroids, or space rocks whose orbits pass within about 30 million miles (50 million kilometers) of Earth's orbit. Whereas comets erupt with long tails of gas, dust and debris when they streak near the sun, the vast majority of near-Earth asteroids appear inert.

However, previous research found that a small number of asteroids, such as the asteroid 133P/Elst-Pizarro, could actively erupt with large amounts of dust and bits of rock — enough to create temporary clouds or comet-like tails that are visible from Earth-based telescopes. Much remains unknown about what drives such outbursts in active asteroids.

Prior work found that Bennu is likely carbonaceous, or rich in carbon. In fact, it's probably similar in composition to carbon-rich meteorites found on Earth called carbonaceous chondrites. Scientists chose to send OSIRIS-REx to Bennu because the space rock looks similar to known active asteroids. But they hadn't seen any eruptions from Bennu until now.

[Redcitizen]

Orion Drives are causing the eruptions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_(nuclear_propulsion)

[zeestephen]

20,000 near Earth asteroids.

Each one burping off thousands of small rocks every time it heats up to a certain point.

I think the estimated danger to space vehicles and space travelers flying through this near Earth debris field has just gone up by several orders of magnitude.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

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