Space Snowman: Astronomers Try to Unravel a Mysterious Object at the Edge Of the Solar System
A team of researchers say they may have finally unraveled the mysteries of a distant space object known affectionately as "Space Snowman."
The Debrief 1:28 am on April 11, 2024
A new study suggests that a Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) named Space Snowman, also known as Arrokoth, might contain ancient ice from the solar system's formation 4.6 billion years ago. Researchers from Brown University and the SETI Institute propose that these primative ices can remain locked deep within KBOs for longer than previously believed due to their low temperatures. The findings could inform upcoming missions like NASA's Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) mission, which aims to search for signs of life at the dawn of the solar system.
- Researchers suggest that Space Snowman and other KBOs might contain ancient ice from the solar system's formation
- They propose that these ices can remain locked deep within KBOs for longer than previously believed due to their low temperatures
- Findings could inform upcoming missions, including NASA's Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) mission
- Models show that for many KBOs, there isn't enough solar energy to sublimate the ices and make them accessible for exploration
- The CAESAR mission aims to search for signs of life or its building blocks at the dawn of the solar system
https://thedebrief.org/space-snowman-astronomers-try-to-unravel-a-mysterious-object-at-the-edge-of-the-solar-system/