Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding water molecules on the surface of an asteroid located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This finding challenges the long-held belief that asteroids are simply dried-up remnants of the early solar system. The presence of water on these space objects supports the theory proposed by astronomers that asteroids may have played a crucial role in delivering water and other essential elements to Earth during its early stages.
The discovery was made using an apparatus on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (Sofia), a retired aerial telescope. Sofia, carried by a modified Boeing 747SP, was able to pass through the stratosphere, which covers 99% of Earth’s atmosphere and blocks infrared radiation. The researchers used the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the Sofia Telescope (FORCAST) instrument to identify water molecules on two asteroids in the main asteroid belt: Iris and Massalia.
The findings, published in The Planetary Science Journal, shed light on the composition of these asteroids and their potential as carriers of water. Dr. Anicia Arredondo, the lead study author and a research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, explained that the decision to study asteroids using Sofia was influenced by previous evidence of water on the moon detected by the telescope. This discovery prompted astronomers to investigate whether asteroids could also harbor water.
Although evidence of hydration had been found on Iris and Massalia before, it was unclear whether it was water or another molecular compound causing the hydration. Dr. Maggie McAdam, a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Centre in California and a coauthor of the study, had previously detected signs of hydration using a different telescope. However, Sofia’s observations definitively confirmed that water was indeed present on these asteroids.
The water content discovered on Iris and Massalia is comparable to a 12-ounce bottle of water trapped within a cubic meter of earth. This finding aligns with Sofia’s previous detection of water molecules in a large crater on the moon’s southern hemisphere in 2020.
The significance of this discovery lies in its implications for our understanding of the origins of water on Earth. The prevailing theory suggests that water was delivered to our planet through various mechanisms, including comets and asteroids. The presence of water on asteroids strengthens the case for these space objects playing a vital role in Earth’s early development.
As astronomers continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, each new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the secrets of our own planet’s history. The finding of water molecules on asteroids in the asteroid belt is a testament to human curiosity and the power of scientific exploration. It opens up new avenues for research and invites us to reconsider our place in the vast cosmos.