Bennu Jerry's, anyone? OSIRIS-REx probe to attempt 3 scoops of asteroid next month before bringing samples home

NASA intends to scoop up material from the surface of the Bennu asteroid on 20 October, and has planned up to three retrieval attempts before returning any samples back to Earth. "Bennu is like a time capsule," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, on Thursday. "It has been out …

[Anonymous Coward]

Metric or imperial nickel?

> NASA is looking for rocks the size of a nickel.

For those not located in one of those united states, a nickel what, or, alternatively, if alluding to the size of a coin, what size is that in milli-Wales?

[Jimmy2Cows]

Re: Metric or imperial nickel?

The coin.

Too small to register at the standards bureau, but I get approximately 1.7005476e-11 milli-Wales

(1 milli-Wales is 20776980000000 sq.mm, a nickel is 21.21mm diameter = ~353.322sq.mm)

[DCFusor]

Scale calibration

We used to use nickels for at least coarse calculation. US nickels (at least used to) weigh precisely 5 grams. There's your metric system in practical use.

How else to know how much pot to put in a nickel bag?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Scale calibration

Proof positive that drugs are a conspiracy against freedom by the metric mafia. The rulers of rational rules for rulers have even pwned the US Mint.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Scale calibration

A 1p piece weights just about an eighth of an ounce.

(For some reason weed is usually sold in the uk in fractions of ounces, whilst most Class A's are sold in grams.)

[Anonymous Coward]

One asteroid, 3 cups

Cue the Youtube reaction videos

[Scott Broukell]

Erm . . . I do hope that NASA have the necessary Mineral Extraction paperwork signed off by the Vogons (in triplicate), before going ahead with this undertaking - just a thought. Furthermore, should we not also consider leaving behind a small gratuity or tip in acknowledgment?

[John Brown (no body)]

It's the compulsory archaeology survey that is carried out before construction starts.

[Anonymous Coward]

High and low science

Cheers to the boffins on the mission.

Still, after all the high tech involved, I can't get image of OSIRIS-REx swirling around to see how much it's scooped.

Have a pint Bennu and Jerry's Oat of This Swirled.

Yes, it's real https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/oat-of-this-swirled-ice-cream/pint

[Chris G]

What are the odds the sample will have a cigarette end and a macDonalds wrapper in them?

[Fruit and Nutcase]

The Priestesses of Vesta

"In ancient Rome, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestal_Virgin

Up Pompeii - "The Vestal Virgins"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJMgzvrTZA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJMgzvrTZA

[Fruit and Nutcase]

Re: The Priestesses of Vesta

Vestal Virgin (retired) - - - >

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: The Priestesses of Vesta

"[...] Vesta, goddess of the hearth"

Now that conjures up a youthful memory in the flickering light of a log fire. Wonder if she was at the DHL wrestling contest too.