NASA recently brought back some exciting samples from an asteroid named Bennu. What’s really cool is that the name “Bennu” was chosen by a kid! Let me tell you the story of how that happened.
When I was eight years old, my dad started collecting space memorabilia, which are cool items related to space. One day, he found out about a contest organized by the Planetary Society. The contest was all about letting kids come up with a name for an asteroid. I thought it would be fun to join in!
The mission to explore the asteroid was called OSIRIS-REx. Curious about the name, I decided to do some research. I found out that Osiris is a god from Egyptian mythology who is connected to the underworld. I also learned that he returned to Earth as a “bennu,” which is a type of bird called a heron. Since the mission was bringing back samples from the asteroid to Earth, I thought “Bennu” would be the perfect name.
At that time, I was really into reading the Percy Jackson series, which is full of exciting stories about mythology. I loved learning about different myths and legends. It was amazing to think that I could be a part of something as big as naming an asteroid, even if it was just a small part of history.
This experience taught me that you’re never too young or too small to do something important. Whether it’s naming an asteroid or helping out in your community, everyone can make a difference. So, always believe in yourself and your ideas!
Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, just like planets. However, they are much smaller than planets. Scientists study asteroids to learn more about the early solar system and how planets, including Earth, were formed.
So, next time you look up at the night sky, remember that there are amazing adventures happening out there, and you can be a part of them too!
Imagine you are part of a team tasked with naming a newly discovered asteroid. Research different mythologies and come up with a creative name. Present your name and the reasoning behind it to the class. Remember, your name should reflect something unique about the asteroid or its mission.
Design a piece of space memorabilia related to the Bennu mission. This could be a poster, a model of the asteroid, or a commemorative coin. Use your creativity to make something that represents the mission’s goals and achievements.
Read about different gods and creatures from various mythologies. Choose one and write a short story about how it could be connected to a space mission. Share your story with the class and discuss how mythology can inspire scientific exploration.
Create a board game where players embark on a mission to collect samples from an asteroid. Design the game board, rules, and challenges players might face during their mission. Play the game with your classmates and see who can successfully complete the mission first.
Research and create a fact file about asteroids. Include information such as their composition, how they are formed, and why scientists study them. Present your fact file to the class and discuss why asteroids are important for understanding our solar system.
NASA recently returned the first samples from an asteroid named Bennu. Interestingly, the name of the asteroid was chosen by a child. When I was eight, my dad had just started collecting space memorabilia and came across a competition hosted by the Planetary Society to name an asteroid, specifically for kids.
The mission to the asteroid is called OSIRIS-REx, so I looked up OSIRIS on Wikipedia and learned that he is an Egyptian deity associated with the underworld. I discovered that he returned to Earth as a “bennu,” which is a heron. Since the asteroid sample was returning to Earth, I thought it would be fitting to name it Bennu.
At the time, I was reading the Percy Jackson series and had been a fan of mythology for a long time. I enjoy the idea that, even though I may be a small footnote in history, I still made a contribution. So, never think you’re too young or too small to do something important!
NASA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – NASA launched a new satellite to study the Earth’s atmosphere.
Asteroid – A small rocky body orbiting the sun, mostly found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. – Scientists are studying an asteroid to learn more about the early solar system.
Mission – A specific task or duty assigned to a person or group, often involving travel and exploration, especially in space. – The mission to Mars aims to gather information about the planet’s surface and atmosphere.
OSIRIS-REx – A NASA spacecraft mission designed to study and return samples from the asteroid Bennu. – OSIRIS-REx successfully collected samples from Bennu and is now on its way back to Earth.
Mythology – A collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, often explaining natural phenomena or historical events. – In Greek mythology, the sun was driven across the sky by the god Helios in a chariot.
Samples – Small parts or quantities intended to show what the whole is like, often used in scientific research. – The geologist collected rock samples to study the composition of the mountain.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of ancient civilizations helps us understand how people lived long ago.
Planet – A celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star, such as the Earth around the Sun. – Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
Sun – The star at the center of our solar system, which provides light and heat to the planets orbiting it. – The sun is essential for life on Earth because it provides the energy needed for plants to grow.
Difference – A point or way in which things are not the same, often used to compare scientific data or historical events. – The difference in temperature between day and night on the moon is extreme because it has no atmosphere.
