Articles tagged with Asteroids
Asteroid Bennu's surface is characterized as loosely bound, with a near-subsurface layer composed of weakly bound rock fragments containing twice the void space as the overall asteroid. The study provides new insights into the physical properties of rubble-pile asteroids, with implications for their long-term evolution.
Researchers from the University of Bern and NCCR PlanetS simulated the DART mission impact, finding that it could deform the asteroid near unrecognizably. The study's results suggest that the impact could eject large amounts of material and deflect the asteroid more strongly than previously thought.
The team at Arecibo Observatory successfully captured data on the mysterious asteroid 2019 OK, revealing it was a fast-rotating C-type or S-type asteroid with a diameter of .04 to .08 miles. The findings provide insights into asteroid composition and rotation rates, which can help inform deflection techniques to protect the planet.
Asteroid Psyche's varied surface suggests a dynamic history, with metallic eruptions, asteroid-shaking impacts, and a lost rocky mantle. The new maps hint at the asteroid's ancient core, which could be composed of silicate-rich material that has since disappeared.
The samples returned from the Hayabusa2 mission provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. The study found that Ryugu contains hydrated minerals and evidence of freeze-thawing, indicating that it experienced both liquid and frozen water in its past.
Researchers found that the asteroid is similar to 'Ivuna-type carbonaceous chondrites,' which date back to the solar system's beginnings. The samples show signs of having been soaked in water, but the rock itself appears relatively dry, hinting at similar formation conditions between comets and asteroids.
Researchers analyzed iron samples from asteroid cores to determine the timing of asteroid core cooling and collisions. The study suggests that violent collisions occurred within a 7.8-11.7 million year window after solar system formation, indicating a chaotic early phase.
Researchers propose that Ceres was formed outside the Frost Line, where ammonia ice is abundant, and then pulled into the Asteroid Belt by gravitational instability. Computer simulations support this hypothesis, showing that giant planet formation led to a turbulent environment that scattered objects into stable orbits.
The OSIRIS-APEX mission will study changes in asteroid Apophis caused by its close flyby of Earth. The spacecraft will also approach the surface and fire its thrusters to expose the asteroid's subsurface, enabling scientists to learn more about its material properties and composition.
A team of scientists has identified the last two DNA and RNA nucleobases missing from extraterrestrial samples, shedding light on the potential origin of life on Earth. The discovery suggests that chemical reactions in asteroids can create essential ingredients for life.
Impact craters reveal insights into planetary bodies' evolution, structure, and composition. By studying impact craters on various planets and asteroids, researchers can determine the formation timeline of these celestial bodies and gain knowledge about their interiors.
Researchers suggest that asteroid Ryugu could be a relic of an ancient comet due to its high organic content and spinning top shape. The study proposes a simple physical model that fits the observed data, suggesting that comets can leave behind rocky debris in the inner solar system.
New study suggests surface minerals of outer main-belt asteroids, which are thought to be the source of Earth's water and life, are only stable at low temperatures. This proposal indicates that these asteroids formed in distant orbits and differentiated into different minerals in their mantles and cores.
Researchers from Denmark and Sweden have dated the massive Hiawatha impact crater in Greenland to 58 million years ago, revealing it occurred a few million years after dinosaurs went extinct. The crater's age opens up a new understanding of Earth's evolution during this period.
Scientists have developed a new way to date asteroid collisions, providing a clearer picture of how planets formed. By analyzing the Chelyabinsk meteorite, researchers found evidence of two distinct collision stages, shedding light on the timing and processes involved in planetary formation.
New research suggests that asteroid 16 Psyche is likely harboring a hidden rocky component, contradicting initial assumptions about its iron-rich composition. The study's findings indicate that the asteroid's porosity would be unlikely to remain stable over time, and alternative explanations for its metallic surface must be explored.
The UH-discovered Earth Trojan asteroid is the largest to date, offering valuable data on its orbital stability. Researchers conducted an observational study and analyzed the asteroid's photometric characteristics, shedding light on its properties.
The discovery of 2020 XL5, the second Earth Trojan asteroid, provides significant insights into the early conditions of the Solar System. The asteroid's stable orbit around the L4 or L5 Lagrangian points makes it an ideal candidate for future space missions.
NAU's Cristina Thomas is a renowned planetary astronomer who has received numerous awards for her groundbreaking research on asteroids and planetary defense. She is also recognized for her exceptional teaching and mentorship, making her a role model for underrepresented communities in STEM fields.
The SETI Institute has teamed up with Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University to assist in designing the science program for L-CAM 1, a lunar-based telescope. The team developed two science cases for observing targets based on understanding the benefits and limitations of a lunar observatory.
A new study by Rice University astrophysicist André Izidoro suggests that the sun had rings before planets formed, explaining many solar system features. The model simulates the solar system's formation hundreds of times and reproduces several features missed by previous models, including pressure bumps and rings.
A new model demonstrates the formation of three rings around the Sun, each composed of planetesimals that eventually form planets. The simulations reveal different chemical compositions and masses for Venus, Earth, and Mars, explaining their distinct orbits and asteroid populations.
A researcher developed a computer simulation to predict asteroid impacts and study crater formation. The simulation, built using NASA-designed methods, can generalize results to all metal asteroid impacts.
A groundbreaking study confirms the timing of the Chicxulub asteroid impact, which occurred during the spring-summer growth phase, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of life on Earth. The research team used multiple lines of evidence, including fossil pollen, index fossils, and radiometric dating, to pinpoint the exact time...
A team of researchers found evidence that solar wind altered the chemical composition of ancient asteroid grains, producing water molecules and providing a possible source for Earth's oceans. The discovery could help future space missions find sources of water on airless worlds.
A new study reveals how Earth's volatile elements, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon, were formed through a combination of deep Earth processes, oceans' formation, and meteor impacts. The research suggests that these elements played a crucial role in creating the habitable environment necessary for life to emerge.
A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona suggests that near-Earth asteroid Kamo`oalewa could be a miniature moon, with its spectrum matching lunar rocks from NASA's Apollo missions. The asteroid's orbit is similar to Earth's but with a slight tilt, making it unlikely to have originated from a typical near-Earth asteroid.
Scientists from the University of Münster used precise isotope measurements to determine that the Moon's heavy bombardment 3.9 billion years ago was caused by continuous impacts of leftover asteroids from the main phase of Earth's formation. The study rules out a sudden increase in impact rate due to outer solar system bodies.
A new model by a SwRI-led team applies geologic evidence to understand how oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere evolved. The results indicate that large impacts may have contributed to the scarcity of oxygen, delaying its oxidation.
Researchers found asteroid and comet collisions occurred more frequently than thought, potentially delaying oxygen accumulation in the atmosphere. The study suggests that these impacts may have created an 'oxygen sink' that reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.
Scientists propose sending a spacecraft to Jupiter to observe centaur objects becoming comets, providing insights into the solar system's dynamics and composition. This unique opportunity could reveal the chemical makeup of comets and shed light on how Earth-like planets form.
A recent study suggests that primates and marsupials were among the few tree-dwelling mammals that survived an asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The researchers used computer models and fossil records to find that most surviving mammals did not rely on trees, but some arboreal species may have been versatile enough to adapt.
The study of 42 asteroids provides detailed images and shapes, revealing a variety of asteroid types, including spherical and elongated objects. The densities of the asteroids vary significantly, suggesting different compositions and origins, supporting theories of substantial migration and distinct region formation in the Solar System.
Asteroid Bennu's surface is covered in boulders due to its highly porous rocks, which compress rather than fragment under meteoroid impacts. This contradicts previous observations of fine regolith on similar asteroids, such as Ryugu and Itokawa.
Researchers have successfully sampled Vesta's mantle using meteorites derived from the dwarf planet, resolving the 'missing mantle problem' and providing a record of the earliest era in solar system formation. This breakthrough pushes back our knowledge to just two million years after the beginning of solar system formation.
A study of metal-rich asteroids has found that they have surfaces with 85% metal such as iron and nickel, similar to stony-iron meteorites. The research also identified four possible asteroid families in the main asteroid belt, which may hold clues about their origins.
A team of astronomers used dashcam footage to track a fireball over Slovenia, recovering three space rocks and tracing their origins in the Solar System. The fragments provide insights into the history of our Solar System and potential hazards like Near Earth Objects.
The European facility will study samples from asteroids and the Moon at a macroscopic level, unlocking exciting science on the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. The first instruments will be delivered in summer 2022, with the laboratory expected to fully operational by 2023.
Researchers found significant reservoirs of large organic molecules in protoplanetary disks, providing a potential pathway for life to form elsewhere. The presence of these molecules suggests basic chemical conditions that led to life on Earth could exist more widely across the Galaxy.
Researchers used granular physics to explain the diamond shapes of asteroids Bennu and Ryugu. The models, which previously failed to predict the shape, were improved by adding the concept of material deposition, resulting in a more accurate explanation.
Researchers suggest that Vesta's large troughs were formed by rocks cracking apart due to the planet's weak gravity, contradicting a leading hypothesis. The study uses crater counting methods to explore the relative age of the basins and troughs, indicating they share a similar age.
A doctoral student is launching a project to quadruple the number of known active asteroids by engaging volunteers in the search. The Active Asteroids project, supported by NASA and NSF grants, aims to classify over 10 million asteroid images in the Southern Hemisphere.
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon and University of Washington are developing new software platforms to analyze the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) dataset. The open-source platforms will enable researchers to make sense of big data and address fundamental questions about the universe, such as dark matter and dark energy.
Astronomers Amir Siraj and Avi Loeb found that interstellar objects outnumber objects in our solar system's Oort Cloud. This discovery suggests that there could be substantially more visitors from other star systems.
Researchers found that large asteroids from the outer half of the main asteroid belt strike Earth at least 10 times more often than previously calculated
The Lucy spacecraft is carrying a time-capsule plaque featuring messages from prominent individuals to humanity's descendants. The plaque contains words of advice, wisdom, joy, and inspiration from Nobel Laureates, United States Poet Laureates, and other inspirational figures.
Scientists have reevaluated early Earth impacts, finding a possible x10 increase in bombardment frequency. This could have significantly altered the planet's near-surface chemistry and atmospheric evolution.
Dinosaurs were in decline 76 million years ago due to extinctions outpacing speciations, with herbivores being particularly affected. The asteroid impact may have been the final blow, triggered by a 7°C drop in global temperature and changes in oceanic circulation patterns.
New research from the University of Arizona suggests that asteroid 16 Psyche may not be as dense or metallic as previously predicted. The findings propose an alternative origin story where 16 Psyche is composed of 82.5% metal, 7% low-iron pyroxene, and 10.5% carbonaceous chondrite.
A new study at Lund University tracked meteorite flux to Earth over 500 million years, revealing a stable flux contrary to current theories. Researchers analyzed sedimentary rocks and extracted chromium oxide grains from nearly 10,000 meteorites.
Researchers recovered 10,000 extraterrestrial chrome-spinel grains to establish a paleoflux record of meteorites falling to Earth. The results suggest that meteorite delivery has been largely stable over the past 500 million years.
Research suggests that heat generated by asteroid impacts could enable aqueous alteration and organic solid formation, increasing the number of potential sources of water and life's origins. The study found that craters over 1km in radius can support organic substance formation within a 2 AU distance from the impact point.
A team of international scientists identified 47 problems hindering tsunami prevention and mitigation. The review highlights the need for unified databases, research, and improved analysis methods to better understand and prepare for tsunamis.
An international team of researchers searched for pieces of the small asteroid 2018 LA, tracked in space and observed to impact Botswana on June 2, 2018. The recovered meteorites showed it likely came from Vesta, a second-largest asteroid in our Solar System.
Researchers found a nanoscale aqueous fluid inclusion containing at least 15% carbon dioxide in the Sutter's Mill meteorite, confirming calcite crystals can contain liquid water and CO2. The discovery provides insights into the origins of the meteorite's parent asteroid and the solar system's early history.
Researchers have collected and analyzed over 2 decades of micrometeorites from Antarctica, determining a total annual flux of 5,200 tons. Most come from comets (80%), while the rest originate from asteroids.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will perform a final flyover of asteroid Bennu, capturing high-resolution images and collecting data from the asteroid's surface and science instruments. The mission aims to understand the extent of the disturbance caused by the sample collection event.
Researchers discovered a low-altitude meteoritic touchdown event reaching the Antarctic ice sheet 430,000 years ago, leaving behind chondritic bulk major particles. The study highlights the importance of reassessing medium-sized asteroid threats and has implications for identifying similar events in deep sea sediment cores.
Researchers at the Arecibo Observatory have developed a technique to analyze radar signals bounced off asteroids' surfaces, providing crucial information on their physical properties. This method can help planetary defense prepare for asteroids on a collision course with Earth by identifying porous, fluffy, or rocky surfaces.
Researchers found a 4.565 billion-year-old meteorite with an andesite crust, unlike known asteroids, suggesting andesitic crusts may have been common in early protoplanets.