LPL Spotlight Stories

Betül Kaçar studies the origins of life, which is why she is at home in several disciplines. She is an assistant professor at the University of Arizona with appointments in the Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Astronomy and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.Carl Philabaum

To Understand the Machinery of Life, a UArizona Scientist Breaks it on Purpose

By tinkering with some of life's oldest components, a group of astrobiologists led by UArizona's Betül Kaçar hope to find clues about how life emerged. In a recent paper, they report an unexpected discovery, hinting at an effect that prevents organisms from ever reaching evolutionary perfection.

 This artist's rendering shows the descending OSIRIS-REx spacecraft as it would have looked like to an observer standing on the surface of asteroid Bennu during the matchpoint rehearsal.NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

Successful Second Rehearsal Puts OSIRIS-REx on Path to Asteroid Sample Collection

During its final practice run in preparation for sample collection at asteroid Bennu, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft approached the surface closer than ever before.
This global map of asteroid Bennu’s surface is a mosaic of images collected during OSIRIS-REx’s Preliminary Survey phase using the spacecraft’s long-range PolyCam camera. Latitude and longitude measurements are shown along the sides of the mosaic.NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

Mapping the Solar System: From the Moon to Bennu

The University of Arizona has played a role in imaging and mapping most major objects in the solar system. Now, it adds the asteroid Bennu to the list. The Bennu Global Mosaic, as the complete map of the asteroid is called, is the highest resolution map of any celestial body.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx Discovers Sunlight Can Crack Rocks on Asteroid Bennu

The spacecraft of the LPL-led OSIRIS-REx mission has documented the first direct evidence of erosion driven by harsh temperatures between daytime and nighttime. Evidence of thermal fracturing on the asteroid can help scientists learn about the geologic history not only on Bennu, but on other planetary surfaces as well.

Asteroids Bennu and Ryugu May Have Formed Directly From Collision in Space

Scientists from the OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 teams have a new theory about why the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu have their signature "spinning-top" shapes.

OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Collection Set for October 20

The new date allows the team more time to assess Bennu's unexpectedly rugged terrain. The event will mark NASA's first-ever asteroid sample collection.

UArizona Cameras Capture Asteroid Close-Up During OSIRIS-REx Rehearsal

The spacecraft of the LPL-led OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission executed a series of maneuvers that brought it within a mere 200 feet of its designated sampling location on the surface of Bennu.

A Martian Mash Up: Meteorites Tell Story of Mars' Water History

LPL researchers probed Martian meteorites to reconstruct Mars’ chaotic history. Their findings suggest that Mars might not have had a global magma ocean.

What Makes Saturn's Upper Atmosphere So Hot

New mapping of the giant planet's upper atmosphere reveals a likely reason why it's so hot.

UArizona-Led Mission to Io Selected as Finalist for NASA Discovery Program

If selected as the winner, the spacecraft mission to Jupiter's volcanic, vibrant moon will determine whether a magma ocean lurks beneath its surface.