OSIRIS-REx Tech - Surveying an Asteroid with X-rays

The video discusses the REXIS instrument on the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, designed to study the asteroid Bennu. REXIS is unique in its ability to detect atomic elements through X-ray fluorescence, providing a map of Bennu's surface composition. The instrument consists of a telescope and a solar X-ray monitor, with students from MIT and Harvard playing a significant role in its development. REXIS represents a new generation of X-ray imaging for planetary science.

What is the primary function of the REXIS instrument aboard the Osiris Rex spacecraft?

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How does the REXIS instrument detect elements on the surface of the asteroid Bennu?

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Describe the components of the REXIS instrument and their functions.

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What role do students from MIT and Harvard play in the development of the REXIS instrument?

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In what ways is the REXIS instrument considered a next-generation tool for planetary science?

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