Scientists have discovered how water molecules can be regenerated on asteroids moving through space, in an exciting breakthrough that could extend to other bodies such as the Moon.<\/p>\n
Published today in the journal Nature Astronomy<\/em>, the new research shows water can be replenished on the surface of asteroids if both solar wind and impacting meteoroids come together at very low temperatures.<\/p>\n Lead Australian author Dr Katarina Miljkovic, from Curtin University\u2019s Space Science and Technology Centre, said the research proved that two components of the space weathering \u2013 both electrons and thermal shock \u2013 were necessary to maintain supplies of water molecules on asteroids, rather than just one as previously thought.<\/p>\n \u201cThis complex process to regenerate surface water molecules could also be a possible mechanism to replenish water supplies on other airless bodies, such as the Moon,\u201d Dr Miljkovic said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis research finding has potentially significant implications because we all know the availability of water in the solar system is an extremely important element for habitability in space.\u201d<\/p>\n The NASA-funded project saw the team take a piece of Australia\u2019s own Murchison meteorite, which fell to earth in Victoria 50 years ago, and simulate the weather conditions of an asteroid belt inside a specially built a machine that mimics the conditions of an asteroid\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n The team then used energised electrons to simulate solar winds and lasers to mimic small meteoroids slamming into the asteroid, while monitoring water molecule levels at the surface.<\/p>\n Meteoroid impacts initiate the reaction, then solar winds blast the surface leaving unbonded oxygen and hydrogen atoms to bond, creating water.<\/p>\n Dr Miljkovic\u2019s role as an impact expert, based in Curtin\u2019s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, was to validate the use of laser ablation as a substitute for micrometeoroid bombardment.<\/p>\n The paper was co-authored by researchers from the University of Hawai\u2019i at M\u0101noa and California State University San Marcos.<\/p>\n