Scientists discovered water molecules on four silicate-rich asteroids for the first time, aiding our understanding of Earth's water supply and distribution.

Scientists from the Southwest Research Institute have discovered water molecules on the surfaces of four silicate-rich asteroids for the first time. The team analyzed the asteroids using the FORCAST instrument from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a joint project of NASA and the German Space Agency. The detection of water on these asteroids provides insight into the distribution of water in the solar system and sheds light on how water was delivered to Earth. The findings are detailed in a paper published in The Planetary Science Journal, and the team will now use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to continue investigating other targets.

February 13, 2024
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