A new study reveals the asteroid Vesta may have had brief brine flows that formed curved canyons and fan-shaped deposits. (NASA)
ON a large asteroid called Vesta, mysterious curving streams and fan-shaped deposits may have formed from short bursts of salty water. According to a study, the findings are quite surprising because Vesta should not have any water at all.
Vesta, the second largest member of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, has existed for 4.5 billion years without an atmosphere. So, if there was water on its surface, it should have long since evaporated into space.
Close-up images of this asteroid taken by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft more than a decade ago show the flows and narrow canyons that formed in the impact crater. This raises the conclusion that liquid water may have flowed on its surface not long ago.
Recent experiments led by Michael Poston, a planetary scientist from the Southwest Research Institute in Texas, show that collisions with other asteroids could dig up and melt ice hidden beneath Vesta’s surface. This melted ice may have flowed as brine along the walls of the newly formed crater, long enough to form curved flows and debris fans, the researchers said.
Inside a test chamber at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, researchers simulated the pressure experienced by the ice on Vesta to record how long it would take for liquid water to refreeze after melting on impact. Pure water freezes too quickly in a vacuum, according to the experiment, but salt water flows for at least an hour.
However, the features visible on Vesta are likely several meters thick, indicating that the salt water may have flowed for longer than an hour. Even so, Poston said a few tens of minutes of flow is “enough for salt water to disrupt the slope of crater walls on rocky bodies, causing erosion and avalanches, and possibly forming other unique geological features found on icy moons.”
If the findings apply to other dry, airless objects, perhaps water also existed on their surfaces in the past, and may still be expelled today, he added: “There may still be water out there to be discovered.”
Some of this water may soon be cataloged by NASA’s Lucy space probe, which is scheduled to arrive at eight Trojan asteroids near Jupiter in 2027. (space/Z-3)
The Salty Secrets of Vesta: A Cosmic Riddle Unraveled!
Well, well, well! Just when you thought the solar system was a dry, dusty old place, along comes Vesta—the asteroid equivalent of your uncle who shows up at Christmas with a bottle of Grand Marnier. Yes, folks! According to a recent study, Vesta may have welcomed some brief brine flows in the least expected corners of the cosmos, giving rise to curving canyons and fan-shaped deposits. Talk about a cosmic surprise!
Now, let’s break it down: Vesta is the second largest rock in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This big guy has been orbiting around the sun for a whopping 4.5 billion years without an atmosphere! So, if we were placing bets on water hanging around on its surface, most experts would have likely said, “Not a chance!” You’d have better luck finding a sensible reality show on television.
NASA’s Dawn spacecraft captured jaw-dropping close-up images of this intriguing asteroid more than a decade ago, revealing impressive flows and narrow canyons formed in what we like to call “impact craters.” It’s like Vesta took one look at those craters and said, “Hold my space beer, I can do better!” Clearly, some liquid water may have graced its surface not so long ago. Maybe it was an asteroid spa day!
So, what gives? Well, enter Michael Poston, a planetary scientist from the Southwest Research Institute in Texas, who led some groundbreaking experiments. The theory is that when other asteroids crash into Vesta, they could stir up and melt hidden ice beneath the surface. Imagine them as cosmic wrestlers digging for treasure buried under layers of rock. Once melted, this briny goodness might have flowed down the walls, carving out those curved features and making quite a splash. It’s like Vesta threw a party and forgot to inform the rest of the asteroid belt!
Now, you may be wondering, “How do we know this melted brine didn’t just freeze into solid popsicles?” Well, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ran some simulations. Turns out, pure water has the elegance of a poorly-run fan at a wedding—it freezes way too quickly in a vacuum. However, salt water is a bit more forgiving and flows for at least an hour. But wait, there’s more! The research suggests these flow features are several meters thick, implying that our salty friend was flowing for longer than just an hour. Looks like the party at Vesta went on a little longer than anticipated!
And what’s the takeaway, you might ask? Poston claims that even a brief flow of liquid salt water can cause erosive chaos—think avalanches and unique geological features in icy places we haven’t even explored yet. “There may still be water out there to be discovered,” he says. Secondary school science classes around the world just got a reason to bust out the moon boots and hazard suits!
But fear not, space lovers! Some of this tantalizing H2O may soon get its proper spotlight thanks to NASA’s upcoming Lucy space probe, set to arrive at eight Trojan asteroids near Jupiter in 2027. So, don’t forget to tune in—we might just find some cosmic caviar floating around up there!
