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The asteroid hunter : a scientist's journey to the dawn of our solar system / Dante S. Lauretta.

by Lauretta, D. S. (Dante S.), 1970- author.

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New York, NY : Grand Central Publishing, 2024.

Lauretta, D. S. (Dante S.), 1970-

OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission.

Planetary scientists -- United States.

Planetary science -- Research.

9781538722947 (hardcover) :

1538722941 (hardcover)

xi, 320 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Prologue : Bennu -- Part I -- Interlude : Two carbon atoms -- Chapter 1 : Origins -- Chapter 2 : Signs of life -- Chapter 3 : Harvesting the stars -- Interlude : Carbon apart -- Chapter 4 : Down and in -- Part II -- Chapter 5 : Whatever it takes -- Chapter 6 : The mystery of the dark asteroid -- Chapter 7 : The three challenges -- Chapter 8 : Up and out -- after all -- Chapter 9 : Go OSIRIS REx -- Chapter 10 : Arrival -- Chapter 11 : June madness -- Chapter 12 : The final four -- Interlude : Carbon calling -- Chapter 13 : Touchdown -- Chapter 14 : Departure -- Epilogue -- Part 1 : Homecoming -- Epilogue -- Part 2 : Carbon united -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Index -- About the author.

"On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery in the vastness of space. Scientists uncovered an asteroid of immense scientific importance--a colossal celestial entity. As massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the iconic Empire State Building, this cosmic titan was later named Bennu. Remarkable for much more than its size, Bennu belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182. Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA's audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. Tasked with unraveling Bennu's mysteries, his team embarked on a daring quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid's surface--one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life's origins but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe. A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand, narrated by Dr. Lauretta. It offers readers an intimate glimpse into the riveting exploits of the mission and Dr. Lauretta's wild, winding personal journey to Bennu and back. Peeling back the curtain on the wonders of the cosmos, this enthralling account promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity's profound curiosity and indominable spirit"--Provided by publisher.

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