Water Ice Discovered On Asteroid For First Time
Water ice has been found on the surface of a nearby asteroid for the first time – a discovery that could help explain how Earth got its oceans, scientists announced.
Two teams of researchers independently verified that the asteroid 24 Themis – a large rock hurtling through space in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter – is coated in a layer of frost.
They also found that the asteroid contains organic material, including some molecules that might be ingredients for life. But scientists have not found any evidence for life itself on this asteroid, or anywhere else in the universe beyond Earth.
“This is the first time we’ve actually seen ice – literally H20 – on an asteroid,” said one of the study leaders, Andrew Rivkin of Johns Hopkins University.
Previously, hints that water might be present on 24 Themis were found in the form of hydrated minerals, which were thought to have formed from the reaction of water with rock. But this time the researchers saw the direct signature of water itself, he explained.
Another science team, led by Humberto Campins of University of Central Florida, found the same thing. Both teams used the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility atop on Mauna Kea in Hawaii to make their observations, but conducted them on different nights.
“Our work and their work are very nicely confirming and complementary,” Campins said.
“To our surprise there was water ice, there were organic molecules, and they were more or less evenly distributed throughout the surface,” Campins told, “We thought that was fascinating.”
Both teams reported their findings in the 19 April 2010 issue of the journal Nature.
11 Responses to Water Ice Discovered On Asteroid For First Time
Share Your Thoughts! Please Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Recent Posts
- What Happens in an Internet Minute?
- Microsoft Acquires Nokia’s Devices & Services Business
- Facebook launches Internet.org Initiative To Connect The Unconnected World
- Google Glasses: Specs And Other Details
- What Will The World Look Like When We Connect The Unconnected, Internet Of Everything Info-graphic By Cisco
Archives
Recent Comments
- custom writing on Google Glasses With Virtual And Augmented Reality
- custom writing on Future Tech: Visible Light Communications
- Govind on Future Tech: Visible Light Communications
- Priya patil on What Happens in an Internet Minute?
- Facebook launches Internet.org Initiative To Connect The Unconnected World | truedare.com on What Will The World Look Like When We Connect The Unconnected, Internet Of Everything Info-graphic By Cisco
Search
Search
Blogroll
Categories
Apple Astronomy Biology Blackberry Cloud Computers Digital Camera Embedded Energy Fiction First Future Gadgets Google GPhone Ideas Innovative Internet iPhone Laptop Life Linux Microsoft Mobile Linux Mobiles Networking Nokia Open Source OS Research Science Science Fiction Services Sky Smart Phone Software Space Storage Super Computing Technology Telecoms Tips & Tricks Trends Video Windows
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TechPark.net. TechPark.net said: Water Ice Discovered On Asteroid For First Time: http://www.techpark.net/2010/04/29/water-ice-discovered-on-asteroid-for-first-time/ […]
Thanks This Helped Me !
MyTechLifestyle | Gadgets, Reviews And Information
Earth is really mysterious. In that discovery some of the question we ask will be unveiled.
anu pu advantage tyaka dis advantage niyan??
This is the first time we’ve actually seen ice – literally H20 – on an asteroid
[…] Water Ice Discovered On Asteroid For First Time […]
Exactly! Even I have seen or heard about H2O on an asteroid. It is wonderful to hear about such amazing innovations by experts.
Such life supporting asteroids will be great for originating a habitat. For other global tech trends visit GloTech.tk
[…] Water Ice Discovered On Asteroid For First Time […]
I am interest hear something like this..
amazing innovations