X-ray Scans Uncover Bennu's Boulder Porosity

The X-ray computed tomography (XCT) scans of asteroid Bennu samples, released on March 17, 2026, have provided critical insights into the asteroid's composition and structure. These scans revealed common crack networks within the samples, resolving a long-standing mystery that had puzzled NASA scientists since the arrival of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2018. Initial expectations, based on 2007 observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope, suggested a smooth, sandy surface due to low thermal inertia measurements. However, OSIRIS-REx found a boulder-strewn landscape, creating a discrepancy. The XCT scans suggest that the boulders are much more porous than initially anticipated, explaining the low thermal inertia despite their size. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the physical properties of asteroids and their response to external forces. It also impacts future missions aimed at asteroid deflection or resource extraction, as the porosity of the material will influence the effectiveness of various techniques. Further research is needed to fully characterize the distribution and properties of porous boulders on other asteroids, but this initial finding represents a major step forward in our understanding of these celestial bodies.

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