Name: Touching the Asteroid
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Nova

In October 2020, a NASA spacecraft called OSIRIS-REx attempts to reach out and grab a piece of an asteroid named Bennu to bring it back to Earth. The OSIRIS-REx team has just three chances to extend its spacecraft’s specialized arm, touch down for five seconds, and collect material from the surface of Bennu.

Spacecraft OSIRIS-REx attempts to grab a piece of an asteroid to bring it back to Earth.

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Touching the Asteroid

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully touched and collected a sample from the surface of asteroid Bennu—without a human at the controls.

Learn more about OSIRIS-REx’s mission to an asteroid 200 million miles away.

Inside OSIRIS-REx’s Mission to Tag Asteroid Bennu

Scientists found bits of rock and dust flying off the asteroid Bennu. Is the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in danger?

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The composition of asteroid Bennu may hold clues about the ingredients that make Earth.

By studying asteroids, researchers can learn about the formation of planets.

Asteroids Provide Hints About the "Ingredients" in Planets

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In October 2020, a NASA spacecraft called OSIRIS-REx attempts to reach out and grab a piece of an asteroid named Bennu to bring it back to Earth. The OSIRIS-REx team has just three chances to extend its spacecraft’s specialized arm, touch down for five seconds, and collect material from the surface of Bennu. But if they can pull it off, scientists could gain great insight into Earth’s own origins—and even learn to defend against rogue asteroids that may one day threaten our planet. (Premiered October 21, 2020)

Spacecraft OSIRIS-REx attempts to grab a piece of an asteroid to bring it back to Earth.

Space & Flight

NOVA investigates the story of cannabis from the criminalization that has disproportionately harmed communities of color to the latest medical understanding of the plant. What risks does cannabis pose to the developing brain? How much do we know about its potential medical benefits? As cannabis becomes socially accepted, scientists are exploring its long-term health consequences. (Premiered September 29, 2021)Check out a previously recorded panel discussion and audience Q&amp;A featuring experts and producers from "The Cannabis Question" <a href="https://youtu.be/nSTT5RZ_hxA">here</a>.

As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA explores its little-known risks and benefits.

The Cannabis Question

A 2006 composite image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Telescope shows the chaos of baby stars in the Orion nebula some 1,500 light-years away. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI

With the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble era is gradually drawing to a close. Here are some highlights from the countless wonders Hubble has shown us during its 31 years in space.

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A statue of Zheng He at the Sam Poo Kong Temple in Java, Indonesia. Image Credit: Budianto Santosa, Shutterstock

In the 1400s, Zheng He sailed thousands of miles around Asia and Africa in ships the size of soccer fields, spreading Chinese innovations like compasses and gunpowder in the process.

Touching the Asteroid

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Explore More

Touching the Asteroid

Did This Asteroid Just Turn into a Comet?

Scientists Get Unprecedented Look into Chicxulub Crater That Killed Dinosaurs

Inside OSIRIS-REx’s Mission to Tag Asteroid Bennu

Rebel asteroid found flying backward near Jupiter

Asteroids Provide Hints About the "Ingredients" in Planets

Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?

On the Asteroid Bennu, Surprising Activity and Rugged Terrain

Whatever We Do, We Shouldn’t Blast Rubble-Pile Asteroids to Pieces

An ancient asteroid collision fostered life on Earth

Day the Dinosaurs Died

NASA probe will attempt to grab a piece of an asteroid on Tuesday

How This NASA Telescope is Defending the Earth From Asteroids

In a swirl of rocks and dust, OSIRIS-REx probe touches an asteroid

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will stow asteroid Bennu sample early