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OSIRIS-REx’s sample collection success is still paying off. The NASA spacecraft briefly touched the surface of the asteroid Bennu in 2020, collecting a sample of surface regolith that it returned to Earth in 2023. Since then, analysis of those samples has found several key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth. This week on Planetary Radio, hear from Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, about what we’ve learned from this sample return success story. Pictured: Rocks fly off asteroid Bennu after NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft touched the surface to collect a sample in 2020. Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.
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Catch up with The Planetary Society’s Book Club. This week, Society members joined NASA astronaut Nicole Stott in our virtual book club to discuss Samantha Harvey’s novel “Orbital.” You can watch a recording of the event here. In March, book club members will be reading "The Secret Life of the Universe" by Nathalie Cabrol, a leading astrobiologist and director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. This book explores how life began on Earth and how this can help us uncover what’s needed for life’s existence elsewhere. The book club is exclusive to Planetary Society members. Not yet a member? Join today.
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Celebrate with us at the Cosmic Shores Gala! On April 5, 2025, Planetary Society members and special guests will board the historic RMS Queen Mary, docked in California’s Long Beach Harbor, for a gala event celebrating our 45th anniversary. The Cosmic Shores Gala will feature a keynote address and discussion panel, a reception with a silent auction, dinner, and an awards presentation emceed by Robert Picardo with our CEO Bill Nye. Learn more and buy your tickets today.