OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft 2 days before Earth Gravity-Assist Flyby

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Photographer:

Mike Olason

Location of Photo:

Denver Colorado

Date/Time of photo:

20 September 2017, 0721UT

Equipment:

11" SCT f/6.4 and STF-8300M CCD Camera

Description:

The OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft on 22 September 2017 will use the Earth for a gravity-assist flyby to help get it to Asteroid 101955 Bennu (1999 RQ36) where it will collect some asteroid dirt and return it to Earth. These images were collected 2 days before close approach which will occur over Antarctica at 1651UT.