Water Discovered on Second Asteroid, May Be Even More Common Than Expected
Water ice on asteroids may be more common than expected, according to a new study. Two teams of researchers who made national headlines in April for showing the first evidence of water ice and organic molecules on an asteroid have now discovered that asteroid 65 Cybele contains the same material. Read more
Astronomers have discovered water in the form of ice on a second asteroid, suggesting the life-essential ingredient is more common than believed. Read more
65 Cybele is one of the largest asteroids and is located in the outer main belt. It gives its name to the Cybele asteroids, which orbit outward from the Sun from the 2:1 orbital resonance with Jupiter. As a C-type asteroid it is dark in colour and carbonaceous in composition. It was discovered on March 8, 1861 by Ernst Tempel and named after Cybele the earth goddess. Read more
Frozen water on asteroids may be more common than previously thought, according to new research that will help to support the idea they might have carried the key ingredient for life to the Earth. Water ice and organic molecules that help to form the basis of life have been discovered on a second asteroid, called 65 Cybele, by astronomers. Read more