Water molecules have been discovered on the surfaces of two asteroids, marking a significant breakthrough in our understanding of water distribution within our solar system.
This unprecedented revelation stems from the analysis of data collected by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a now-retired telescope jointly operated by NASA and the German Aerospace Centre. The celestial bodies under scrutiny, Iris and Malissa, have unveiled intriguing insights, as detailed in a publication within The Planetary Science Journal.
Lead researcher Anicia Arredondo expressed the unequivocal identification of molecular water on these asteroids, a milestone echoed in her communication via X. Both Iris and Malissa boast abundant silicate content, wherein water molecules were detected ensnared within silicate glass formations resultant of impacts or chemically bonded with other minerals, as reported by astronomy.com.
The implications of this discovery extend to shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the presence of water on Earth. SOFIA’s prior detection of lunar water in the Moon’s southern region prompted Arredondo and her team to extend their investigation to four asteroids, including Parthenope and Melpomene. While three exhibited absorption patterns at a wavelength of 3 micrometres, Iris and Malissa presented a distinctive absorption at 6 micrometres, indicative solely of water presence.
This marks the inaugural confirmation of water molecules on an asteroid’s surface in space, a feat inspired by the successful detection of lunar water. Arredondo underscored their approach, leveraging SOFIA’s capabilities to discern spectral signatures across various celestial bodies.
With diameters of 199 km and 135 km, respectively, Iris and Malissa traverse orbits akin to each other, averaging a distance of 2.39 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, as documented by space.com. This convergence of findings underscores the collaborative effort propelling our comprehension of water’s cosmic journey and its significance in shaping our solar system’s dynamics.