101955 Bennu

101955 Bennu is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a 101955 Bennu radius of 250 km, making it 25.5× smaller than Earth's size, this celestial body presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other objects in our cosmic neighborhood. Positioned at an average distance of 1.68e+8 km (1.126 AU) from the Sun, 101955 Bennu occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 101955 Bennu represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 101955 Bennu physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 101955 Bennu radius measures 250 km, making it 25.5× smaller than Earth's size.

The 101955 Bennu orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 101955 Bennu orbit has a semimajor axis of 1.68e+8 km (1.126 AU), placing it 1.1× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 101955 Bennu comes within 1.34e+8 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 2.03e+8 km, creating a 40.8% variation in solar distance. The 101955 Bennu orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.204 (12.2× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The 101955 Bennu orbit takes 0.12 hours to complete (72280.9× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 6.035° indicates how much the 101955 Bennu orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This moderate inclination indicates a typical orbital evolution for objects in this region of the Solar System.

The 101955 Bennu rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 101955 Bennu axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 101955 Bennu experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 101955 Bennu's position in space. The mean anomaly of 0° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 0° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 0° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The 101955 Bennu temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 101955 Bennu average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 101955 Bennu inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), 101955 Bennu presents a dramatically different thermal environment. At a similar distance to Earth from the Sun, 101955 Bennu's temperature is primarily influenced by its atmospheric composition and albedo. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The 101955 Bennu escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 101955 Bennu escape velocity of 0 m/s determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for 101955 Bennu to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 101955 Bennu flattening of 0.0000% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This minimal flattening suggests a nearly spherical shape, indicating either slow rotation or a very rigid internal structure.