The dynamic geophysical environment of (101955) Bennu based on OSIRIS-REx measurements

The top-shaped morphology characteristic of asteroid (101955) Bennu, often found among fast-spinning asteroids and binary asteroid primaries, may have contributed substantially to binary asteroid formation. Yet a detailed geophysical analysis of this morphology for a fast-spinning asteroid has not been possible prior to the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission. Combining the measured Bennu mass and shape obtained during the Preliminary Survey phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission, we find a notable transition in Bennu’s surface slopes within its rotational Roche lobe, defined as the region where material is energetically trapped to the surface. As the intersection of the rotational Roche lobe with Bennu’s surface has been most recently migrating towards its equator (given Bennu’s increasing spin rate), we infer that Bennu’s surface slopes have been changing across its surface within the last million years. We also find evidence for substantial density heterogeneity within this body, suggesting that its interior is a mixture of voids and boulders. The presence of such heterogeneity and Bennu’s top shape are consistent with spin-induced failure at some point in its past, although the manner of its failure cannot yet be determined. Future measurements by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will provide insight into and may resolve questions regarding the formation and evolution of Bennu’s top-shape morphology and its link to the formation of binary asteroids

Evidence for widespread hydrated minerals on asteroid (101955) Bennu

Early spectral data from the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission reveal evidence for abundant hydrated minerals on the surface of near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu in the form of a near-infrared absorption near 2.7 µm and thermal infrared spectral features that are most similar to those of aqueously altered CM-type carbonaceous chondrites. We observe these spectral features across the surface of Bennu, and there is no evidence of substantial rotational variability at the spatial scales of tens to hundreds of metres observed to date. In the visible and near-infrared (0.4 to 2.4 µm) Bennu’s spectrum appears featureless and with a blue (negative) slope, confirming previous ground-based observations. Bennu may represent a class of objects that could have brought volatiles and organic chemistry to Earth

Bunchview A fast and accurate bunch by bunch current monitor

Bunch View is a system for the direct measurement of the current from each bunch circulating in a storage ring based on the analysis of the RF signals delivered by a set of striplines. This paper describes the development, achievements, operation, and results of this fast and accurate bunch current monitor built for the BESSY and MLS storage rings. Using a combination of a 14 16Bit analog to digital converter ADC , a high speed FIFO, ECL technique, and FPGAs, a real time measurement of the fill pattern with high accuracy and bunch by bunch resolution was achieved. The results are identical to the fill pattern determined by time correlated single photon counting based on synchrotron radiation detected with an avalanche photo diode. BunchView is fully integrated into the EPICS control system. The data provided by the BunchView monitor give accurate bucket position in the ring and bunch current over a wide dynamic range. The smallest measured single bunch current is less than 100nA. In the future the system will be used in the top up mode of operation in order to inject beam into the emptiest buckets and thus keep the fill pattern stable over longer periods of time

bERLinPro Becomes SEALab Status and Perspective of the Energy Recovery Linac at HZB

Since end of the year 2020 the energy recovery linac ERL project bERLinPro of Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin has been officially completed. But what is the status of this facility, the next scientific goals in the framework of accelerator physics at HZB, what are the perspectives? To reflect the continuation of this endeavor and the broadening of applications of this machine from high current SRF based energy recovery concept up to an ultrafast electron diffraction UED facility producing shortest electron pulses, the facility is now named Sealab, Superconducting RF Electron Accelerator Laboratory. In this contribution, an overview of lessons learned so far, the status of the machine, the coming set up and commissioning steps with an outlook to midterm and future applications will be given. In summary, Sealab will expand, including the ERL application, and become a general accelerator physics and technology test machine to employ UED as a first study case and will also be an ideal testbed to investigate new control schemes based on digital twins or machine learning method