Articles tagged with Asteroids
Researchers analyzed plant fossil record and evolutionary relationships to conclude that global forest collapse led to the survival of only a few ancestral bird lineages. These early survivors adapted to life on the ground, laying the foundation for the diverse range of modern bird species.
A Brazilian scientist and her co-author found that an extrasolar asteroid has stably occupied a stable path corresponding to Jupiter's orbit for at least 4.5 billion years. The asteroid is believed to have originated from outside the Solar System, likely captured by Jupiter's powerful gravitational field.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a carbon-rich asteroid in the Kuiper Belt, providing strong support for theoretical models of the Solar System's formation. The asteroid, 2004 EW95, is believed to have formed in the inner Solar System and was flung outwards by a migratory planet.
Experiments show that asteroids can retain up to 30% of their water content after impact, suggesting a mechanism for water delivery to the early Earth. This process could also explain later water activity in the solar system.
A new study by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center team has calculated how 'Oumuamua fits into our understanding of planetary system development. The object, a fresh perspective on planetary formation, was likely ejected from a distant star system and is helping scientists constrain planet formation models.
New research confirms that 'Oumuamua, the first confirmed interstellar asteroid, originated from a binary star system. The study found that rocky objects like 'Oumuamua are far more likely to come from binary systems than single star systems.
Researchers model asteroid destruction using miniatures and laser blasts, estimating required nuclear explosion energy. The study provides a way to experimentally evaluate asteroid destruction criteria.
Researchers believe asteroids can reveal what molecules originally existed in our solar system, helping scientists reconstruct the pathway that led to life on Earth. The study of asteroid and meteorite samples provides strong evidence that certain compounds were present before life formed.
Two meteorites found to contain both liquid water and complex organic compounds like hydrocarbons and amino acids. The study suggests dwarf planet Ceres and asteroid Hebe may be sources of rich organic matter.
Japanese researchers from Osaka University have developed a muon-based approach to non-destructive investigations for unique asteroid samples. The technique enables the study of extraterrestrial organics and major elements without destroying the samples, with potential applications in archaeology, material science, and social sciences.
The first known interstellar visitor, 'Oumuamua, is a rapidly rotating and dimly bright object similar to Kuiper Belt objects and organic-rich comets. It was discovered in October and observed using the Gemini Observatory before fading from view due to its increasing distance.
Research suggests that asteroid impacts on hydrocarbon-rich areas may have caused global climate changes, leading to mass extinctions. The Chicxulub impact, occurring 66 million years ago, is a rare case of this phenomenon.
The Chicxulub asteroid impact likely released over three times as much sulfur gas into the atmosphere, implying a colder period than previously thought. The increased sulfur release led to a dramatic cooling of Earth's climate, potentially devastating plant life and marine ecosystems.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a highly compact infrared microbolometer camera called ComCAM to study near primitive objects. The device has the potential to assist in the redirection or possible destruction of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
Researchers found organics on Ceres are likely native, contradicting earlier theories of delivery via comets or asteroids. The discovery suggests a complex chemical evolution and important astrobiological implications for the solar system.
Researchers explored racial microaggressions in STEM fields, finding they negatively impact underrepresented scientists. In another study, a 'dynamical shake-up' model explains why Mars is so small and there are no planets in the asteroid belt.
Polarimetry offers improved descriptions of small bodies by analyzing reflected radiation's intensity and polarization. Scientists can measure asteroids' size, reveal dust composition in comets or planetary atmospheres, and detect potential biomarkers.
A geochemist from MSU has assessed the oxidative environment and its changes inside asteroids from core to surface. The study reveals that variations in asteroid composition and structure significantly impact oxygen pressure.
Asteroid impact led to rapid genetic evolution in surviving birds, potentially influencing modern bird diversity. Human activities may accelerate similar 'Lilliput Effect', impacting evolution across species.
Astronomers have observed a unique type of object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, revealing two asteroids orbiting each other and exhibiting comet-like features. The research provides crucial information about the origin and evolution of main-belt comets, which can help answer questions about how water came to Earth.
Scientists estimate that a massive asteroid impact could have triggered 2 years of darkness on Earth, shutting down photosynthesis and drastically cooling the planet. The research found that soot in the atmosphere would have blocked sunlight, causing a steep decline in average temperatures.
A group of dark asteroids with related orbits have been identified as part of a previously unknown family, estimated to be roughly 4 billion years old. The discovery provides valuable information on the size distribution of original planetesimal bodies and challenges traditional theories of asteroid formation.
A team of astronomers identified a relatively unpopulated region of the main asteroid belt containing pristine relics from early solar system history. They also discovered the oldest known asteroid family extending throughout the inner region of the main asteroid belt.
A new study suggests that a massive asteroid impact early in Mars' history could explain the planet's unique geological features. The research proposes that an asteroid at least 1,200 kilometers across crashed into Mars, depositing rare metals and creating the planet's hemispheres.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that tardigrades can withstand all astrophysical catastrophes and will continue to thrive for at least 10 billion years. The research suggests that life on Earth will extend as long as the Sun shines, opening the possibility of life on other planets.
Bee-Zed asteroid, discovered in 2015, orbits the Sun every 12 years, corresponding with Jupiter's orbital period, and shares its orbit despite moving in the opposite direction. This retrograde co-orbit is rare, occurring only in about 82 of the more than 726,000 known asteroids.
A team led by Dr James Bryson deciphered magnetic messages in rare metal meteorites, confirming Psyche as an exposed planetary core. The findings suggest the asteroid cooled quickly due to its rocky mantle stripped away.
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of separate inner and outer disk structures around epsilon Eridani, similar to the asteroid and Kuiper belts in our solar system. The star's debris disk is thought to be a key to understanding the evolution of our solar system.
A new study estimates that violent winds and shock waves are the most deadly effects of an asteroid impact, accounting for over 60% of lives lost. The study ranked seven effects associated with asteroid impacts and found that tsunamis accounted for 20% of casualties, while seismic shaking was the least concerning.
A new study led by Georgia Tech reveals that massive landslides on Ceres are indicative of hidden ice, suggesting up to 50% of the upper layers may be composed of ice. The research uses data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft to identify three types of landslides, offering insights into Ceres' composition and structure.
Researchers found signs of fault displacement at well-known rock outcrops in Colorado marking the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact. The study suggests massive seismic waves could have generated earthquakes as far away as Colorado.
Asteroid Bee-Zed, orbiting the wrong way around the sun, has been playing a cosmic game of chicken with Jupiter for a million years. The asteroid's retrograde motion allows it to maintain a stable orbit despite its unusual path, thanks to Jupiter's gravity deflection.
The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully tested its asteroid search instruments, detecting multiple Main Belt asteroids two magnitudes fainter than expected. The spacecraft's MapCam imager performed flawlessly, demonstrating improved imaging capabilities that will aid in avoiding natural satellites around target asteroid Bennu.
Researchers found platinum in soil layers coinciding with the Younger-Dryas climatic period, which may indicate an extraterrestrial impact event. The discovery contributes to evidence of a potential cosmic impact that occurred around 12,800 years ago and may have led to the extinction of Clovis people and animals.
Researchers propose 'ballistic sorting' as mechanism underlying size-sorting of particles on asteroid Itokawa. The theory suggests that small pebbles rebound from boulders but sink into pebble-rich regions, leading to lateral separation of particles.
Researchers refuted the theory that asteroids hit Earth every 26 million years, as previously suggested by US researchers. Instead, they found that impact craters formed over a wide range of ages and were not clustered in time.
A UCL-led team found evidence of planetary debris surrounding a double sun system called SDSS 1557, which suggests the presence of terrestrial planets like Tatooine. The discovery is remarkable because it shows a high metal content, including silicon and magnesium, indicating rocky planet assembly via large asteroids that formed.
Researchers have observed spectroscopically two distant asteroids and found their orbits are almost identical, suggesting a common origin. The team proposes that these asteroids were once a binary pair that separated after an encounter with a planet beyond Pluto's orbit.
Scientists have detected aliphatic organic compounds on Ceres, suggesting that they formed on the asteroid itself. The findings indicate that the extreme heat from an impact would have destroyed these types of compounds, ruling out external delivery.
Researchers studied asteroid Chelyabinsk to determine properties necessary for deflection missions. The study found that an asteroid's composition, internal structure, density, and physical properties are crucial in determining the success of a kinetic projectile launch.
Researchers discovered the asteroid break-up occurred 2.5 million years before the rise in marine biodiversity, debunking the myth of a connection between the two events.
Researchers discovered most modern meteorites are rare, while many rare ones existed before a massive asteroid collision. Analyzing ancient micrometeorites and meteorites, the study found distinct differences in their composition.
The study reveals that sulfuric acid droplets formed after the asteroid impact caused long-lasting cooling, which likely contributed to the death of land-living dinosaurs. Marine ecosystems were also severely affected by the ocean circulation disturbances caused by surface cooling.
Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study six Trojan asteroids orbiting Jupiter, providing insights into the solar system's origins. The mission aims to decipher the history of the outer planets and understand the causes of differences between Trojans.
The Lucy spacecraft will launch in 2021 and fly by six Trojan asteroids between 2025 and 2033, studying their geology, surface composition, and bulk properties. The mission aims to decipher the history of the solar system and provide critical knowledge about planetary origins.
Astronomers have characterized the smallest known asteroid using Earth-based telescopes: Asteroid 2015 TC25 measures just 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter. The tiny space rock is bright, reflecting about 60% of the sunlight that falls on it.
Scientists studying the Chicxulub crater have shown how large asteroid impacts deform rocks in a way that may produce habitats for early life. The research suggests that asteroid impacts could have created niches for life on Earth.
The Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG) has been upgraded to simulate the full problem of designing a spacecraft, considering multiple performance criteria. This enables mission planners to optimize both trajectory and spacecraft design, especially for electrically propelled low-thrust missions.
Researchers develop new method to protect Earth from asteroids using nuclear explosions. The technique simulates an asteroid's destructive power, fragmenting it into safe pieces before they reach the planet. This approach is considered a safer and more effective alternative to previous methods.
A SwRI-led study found that Ceres' surface lacks large impact craters, contrary to predictions. The team suggests a deep subsurface ice-rich layer or cryolava may have erased the craters over time.
A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that a combination of volcanic eruptions and an asteroid impact led to the mass extinction of dinosaurs. The research, conducted by University of Florida geochemist Andrea Dutton, used a novel technique called clumped isotope paleothermometry to analyze ancient ocean temperatures.
The OSIRIS-REx mission will generate detailed maps of asteroid Bennu using data from its five instruments, enabling the selection of a suitable sampling site. The team will also develop a new 3D shape model capturing the asteroid's irregular shape and create routine operation maps for navigation and sampling.
Researchers have discovered a new type of meteorite called Ost 65, which appears to be from the missing partner in a massive asteroid collision 470 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into the history of our solar system and may shed light on the evolution of life on Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will study asteroid Bennu in detail, collecting a sample to be analyzed on Earth. Four top-level maps will guide the sample collection process, assessing safety, navigation, surface material, and scientific value.
The US spacecraft OSIRIS-REx has arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it is undergoing final testing and fueling before its September launch. The mission aims to retrieve at least 60 grams of pristine asteroid surface material for study on Earth.
An international team of astronomers has detected icy comets and carbon monoxide gas around a nearby sun-like star using ALMA. The findings provide early insights into the properties of comet clouds in stellar systems just after their birth.
Astronomers at Queen's University Belfast will lead the UK's search for distant supernovae, asteroids, and comets. The LSST telescope will generate a massive scientific dataset of billions of galaxies, stars, and solar system objects, providing insights into the origin of chemical elements and the size and geometry of the Universe.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a huge asteroid that struck the Earth 3.46 billion years ago, creating massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. The impact is believed to be one of the largest in human history, with the asteroid estimated to be 20-30 kilometers across.
Dinosaurs were already experiencing an evolutionary decline, with many species going extinct faster than new ones emerged. This suggests that the asteroid impact may not have been the sole cause of their extinction.
A team of researchers from Cardiff University has provided new evidence on how deep sea creatures survived the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs. The study found that some forms of algae and bacteria were living in the aftermath of the disaster, providing a slow trickle of food for creatures near the seafloor.