JWST is providing new history of Neptune by studying icy asteroids

Here's a deeper dive into how NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is shedding light on Neptune's history through icy asteroids:

  • The target: Mors-Somnus - Webb isn't directly studying icy asteroids scattered throughout the solar system, but rather focusing on a specific binary asteroid system called Mors-Somnus located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune's orbit.
  • Mors-Somnus as a Rosetta Stone - Scientists believe Mors-Somnus originated in the Kuiper Belt, an icy realm of objects leftover from the solar system's formation. By studying the composition of this binary asteroid, researchers can potentially understand the building blocks that formed Neptune and other icy objects in that region.
  • First of its kind analysis - Webb's Disco-TNOs program is conducting the first-ever detailed analysis of the surface composition of a small, binary TNO (Trans-Neptunian Object). This provides a more precise look at the chemical makeup of these icy leftovers.
  • Connecting the dots - Understanding the composition of Mors-Somnus can provide clues about the materials that coalesced to form Neptune during the solar system's chaotic early days. This knowledge can shed light on the formation of other ice giants as well.
  • Beyond Neptune, to Earth's origins - The research might also hold secrets about Earth's water content. It's possible that icy objects like Mors-Somnus played a role in delivering water to our planet early in its history, a crucial ingredient for life as we know it.
In essence, Webb is using Mors-Somnus as a time capsule, analyzing its pristine composition to peer back into the past and unravel the formation history of Neptune and potentially other icy objects in our solar system. This newfound knowledge may even hold clues about the origins of water on Earth.

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