Scientists have lots of ice in an unforeseen place in our solar system: an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter.
The discovery of significant asteroid ice has several consequences. It may possibly help explain how Earth first got its water. It makes asteroids more attractive to explore. And it muddies the definition between comets and asteroids.
The distant asteroid has an widespread but thin frost coating that is likely replenished by frozen water deep inside the rock. The discovery was announced in two studies being published in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
The discovery of significant asteroid ice has several consequences. It may possibly help explain how Earth first got its water. It makes asteroids more attractive to explore. And it muddies the definition between comets and asteroids.
The distant asteroid has an widespread but thin frost coating that is likely replenished by frozen water deep inside the rock. The discovery was announced in two studies being published in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
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