Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
Water molecules have been identified on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, offering fresh insights into the distribution of water within our solar system.
Researchers utilized data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to study four silicate-rich asteroids, uncovering water molecules using the Faint Object InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) instrument.
Among the asteroids studied, Iris and Massalia displayed a distinct wavelength indicative of water molecules on their surfaces, revealing potential similarities to the lunar water discovery. These asteroids are situated between Mars and Jupiter, at an average distance of 2.39 astronomical units, taking 3.7 years to complete one orbit.
Lead author Anicia Arredondo highlighted the significance of understanding water distribution on asteroids, linking it to the origins of water on Earth.
While water has been found in asteroid samples returned to Earth previously, this marks the first direct detection of water molecules on an asteroid's surface in space.
Previous SOFIA observations identified water on the moon's surface, providing a benchmark for the asteroid study and suggesting similar water abundance and distribution patterns.
The quantity of water detected on Iris and Massalia resembled that found on the moon, with potential binding to minerals or absorption in silicate.
Iris and Massalia, with similar orbits and sizes, challenge previous assumptions about water presence based on distance from the sun.
The findings suggest that certain silicate asteroids retain water over time, potentially reshaping understandings of solar system material distribution and evolution.
Insights into water distribution aid in identifying potential locations for life beyond Earth, shaping future exploration endeavours within our solar system and beyond.