Two organic-rich asteroids discovered beyond the orbit of Mars
Two unusual objects have been discovered in the asteroid belt, which orbits between Mars and Jupiter. They were given the names Pompey and Justice, according to the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Studies have shown that their surface contains complex organic matter, and the asteroids themselves have an unnaturally red hue. They probably formed in another region of the solar system, namely behind the orbit of Neptune. But during the turbulent phase of planetary migration, objects moved closer to the center.
As established by representatives of the Japanese space agency JAXA, the diameter of Pompeii is 110 km, Justice – 55 km. These asteroids were discovered back in the 19th century. But only recently, with the help of modern equipment, astronomers have been able to study them and discover the unusual red color of the surface.
Typically, objects in the inner solar system reflect more blue light because they lack complex organic compounds such as carbon and methane. Objects in the outer part of the system (beyond the orbit of Neptune), on the contrary, are rich in them and therefore have a red color.
Scientists did not expect to see red asteroids this close to the Sun. But an explanation was found for their presence.
Organic compounds could appear only on objects covered with ice. It can be assumed that Pompey and Justicia formed in a very cold environment, far from the Sun. Then solar radiation led to the appearance of complex organic compounds.
The position of the asteroids changed during the migration of the planets. Initially, the gas giants were located closer to the Sun. But they interacted with each other and with the bodies around them, and at a certain moment they lost stability.
“As a result of which Neptune, Uranus and Saturn moved outward, and Jupiter moved inward. In theory, this could lead to the fact that two infrared asteroids behind Neptune would fall into the asteroid belt within several million years, ”the study said.
Interestingly, the planetary migration theory also provides for Planet Nine, which was once ejected from the solar system. Scientists are still looking for traces of it.
Previously, scientists have established the homeland of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs. It crashed into Earth 66 million years ago.
