REXIS

The REgolith X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer flying on NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

We’re all preparing for something big! The @WashMystics are aiming for hoops, and we’re aiming for asteroid Bennu. Here’s how our Deputy Mission Ops Manager, Nayi Castro, and Mystics player, Natasha Cloud, get ready for “game day” ⭐️

[Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) @MIT]

MIT and Harvard file suit against new ICE regulations: https://t.co/j3BDzcJ52N

[MIT AeroAstro @MITAeroAstro]

“As members of the MIT community, we tackle tough questions every day; now we must turn inward, ask them of ourselves, and take action.” -Dept. Head Daniel Hastings #ShutDownSTEM #ShutDownAcademia #Strike4BlackLives https://t.co/cun9J5ApXJ

[REXIS @REXIS_MIT]

This Wednesday, June 10th, join #Strike4BlackLives. STEM and academia is not immune to anti-Black racism so we encourage our fellow scientists and engineers to participate in #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM

[MITKavli @MITKavli]

MKI community statement
https://t.co/zWvR1Krxrw
@ScienceMIT @MIT_Physics @MITKavli

[Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) @MIT]

“We know, and we insist, that black lives matter.” — MIT President L. Rafael Reif https://t.co/TAQMjCBLdS

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

Glow up? 🌟

These images were taken during various mission phases and from various altitudes. The same boulder is pictured in all 3 images, but the details come into focus as we get closer to asteroid Bennu.

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

OSIRIS-REx is officially GO for TAG 🚦🟢

We've locked down our schedule for the year:
❏ May 26 - Recon C flyover of backup site Osprey
❏ Aug 11 - Second Sample Collection Rehearsal
❏ Oct 20 - First Sample Collection Attempt

More details here: https://t.co/fI1VV007Ox

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

It's been 7 years since the name “Bennu” was bestowed upon my favorite rocky asteroid!

The asteroid is named after the ancient Egyptian bird deity, Bennu, who is linked with the Sun, creation and rebirth.

Print your very own asteroid Bennu to celebrate🥳https://t.co/8HaFRj9ERE

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

It's happening! The team just received confirmation that I've fired the Attitude Control System (ACS) thrusters to leave my 0.6-mile (1-km) safe-home orbit.

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

The team just received confirmation that the sampling arm - called the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) - is now extending to the sampling position 🦾 This is a slow and steady process that takes about 30 minutes.

[REXIS @REXIS_MIT]

More exciting news about the REXIS black hole observation! We now have a write-up in The Astronomer's Telegram @astronomerstel @OSIRISREx

https://t.co/05qH4prx9d

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

At 2 inches (5 cm) per pixel, this is the highest-resolution global map of a planetary body! My team stitched together 2,155 images to produce this extremely detailed global mosaic of Bennu’s surface 🔍🗺

Explore the mosaic here: https://t.co/6nkJRbnT8i

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

Ever wonder how I'll be making my way down to Bennu's surface? Well, here's the lowdown on how to navigate around an asteroid while collecting a sample.

Read more about my new Natural Feature Tracking navigation method: https://t.co/jCvYtxu3wh

[Thomas Zurbuchen @Dr_ThomasZ]

We are proud of all the students that contribute to the missions here at NASA. Our partnerships with universities give students the opportunity to design, build and fly instruments in space...and even discover something new! Way to go @OSIRISREx students! https://t.co/DmCAblPVV9

[REXIS @REXIS_MIT]

So excited that we can now share our surprising detection with everyone! Lucky us, we were in the right position to see the flare from the black hole near the edge of Bennu during our observation in November @OSIRISREx

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

Woo-hoo! Our student-built REXIS instrument detected X-rays radiating from a newly discovered black hole 🌑✨ This giant flare (from a stellar mass black hole) is the first such outburst ever detected from interplanetary space! Read more about the event: https://t.co/Oxdox2bsgZ

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

It’s no secret, choosing a sample site was hard work! The team is now facing its next challenge: collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu. But hey, that’s what space exploration is all about. Time to buckle down for #TAG2020

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

Feelin cute. Might delete later.

Image details: https://t.co/wgo6jQtk3S

[REXIS @REXIS_MIT]

Is your love astronomical?? Use @OSIRISREx Valentine's Day cards to express it 💞

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

Want to spread the love? 💘 Celebrate with Bennu and me. Print your cards here: https://t.co/0LWIs3No7Y

You can always print the cards from past years, too! https://t.co/9OpSFBDTo5

[NASA's OSIRIS-REx @OSIRISREx]

2020 is gonna be a huge year. Here’s what I’m looking forward to!

#ToBennuAndBack