For the first time ever, ice, water, and organic materials were detected on the 124-mile asteroid 24 Thermis, located between Mars and Jupiter. It was found using a NASA telescope in Hawaii using the reflected spectrum of infrared sunlight. It was previously thought that it was impossible, given that sunlight would melt the ice, but it was learned that this ice is replenished by water from inside the asteroid. This ice comes from the ice within the parent body, from where the asteroid broke off.
The approach used was inductive reasoning and discovery science.
This discovery has huge implications for humans, because water is necessary for life. The discovery of water means that life possibly exists elsewhere in the universe. Future visits to asteroids may be possible.
Author: Jeremy Hsu
Title: Water Ice and Organic Material Found for First Time on Asteroid
Journal: Popular Science
Date: 4/28/2010
Pages: online article
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