Tag: space weathering
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Unveiled: The Irradiated Crust of 3I/ATLAS Reveals Cosmic Ray Secrets
New Evidence from JWST: A Hidden Crust on an Interstellar Visitor The ongoing study of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has taken a significant turn as new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) point to a striking feature: a deeply irradiated crust measuring roughly 50 to 65 feet thick. This crust appears to have formed…
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Can Radiolysis Explain Material in and Around Enceladus’ South Polar Plume? Insights from Ion Irradiation of Ice Analogues
Introduction: Probing Enceladus’ Radiation Chemistry Saturn’s magnetosphere bathes Enceladus in a harsh radiation field, continually delivering water-group ions and energetic particles to the moon’s icy surface. A crucial question in astrobiology and planetary science is whether the materials observed in Enceladus’ south polar plume—and on its surrounding terrain—are remnants of a subsurface ocean or products…
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How Asteroids Spin in Space—and How We Can Use That to Save Earth
Understanding asteroid spin: a balance of forces Asteroids come in a wide range of shapes and spin states. Some rotate smoothly like a top, while others tumble chaotically. Recent research presented at the Europlanet Science Congress in Helsinki sheds light on what drives these different spin patterns. By examining data from the European Space Agency’s…