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| Open AccessSoluble organic matter Molecular atlas of Ryugu reveals cold hydrothermalism on C-type asteroid parent body
The molecular atlas of soluble organic compounds from Ryugu shows unprecedented molecular complexity and diversity resulting from alteration on a low temperature, water rich parent body.
- Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin
- , Norbert Hertkorn
- & Yasuhiro Oba
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Article
| Open AccessChemical evolution of primordial salts and organic sulfur molecules in the asteroid 162173 Ryugu
The asteroid Ryugu samples are by far the freshest extraterrestrial carbonaceous material. The authors report soluble ions and organic sulfur molecules linked with primordial brine and prebiotic organic evolution of the primitive asteroid.
- Toshihiro Yoshimura
- , Yoshinori Takano
- & Yuki Kimura
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Article
| Open AccessIgneous meteorites suggest Aluminium-26 heterogeneity in the early Solar Nebula
The homogeneity of Aluminium-26 (Al-26) isotope distribution in the accreting solar nebula is debated. Here, the authors show that the age determination of meteorite Erg Chech 002, compared with other igneous meteorites, indicates that Al-26 was heterogeneously distributed in the early Solar System.
- Evgenii Krestianinov
- , Yuri Amelin
- & Tommaso Di Rocco
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| Open AccessRyugu asteroid sample return provides a natural laboratory for primordial chemical evolution
The samples returned from near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu provide a pristine record of the 4.6 billion years since the birth of the Solar System. The Hayabusa2 initial analysis team has integrated a range of analytical techniques to investigate Ryugu’s organic chemistry. Here, we highlight their latest findings, the potential questions which may be answered, and provide an overview of new prospects in the decade to come.
- Yasuhiro Oba
- , Yoshinori Takano
- & Hiroshi Naraoka
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Comment
| Open AccessImpact observations of asteroid Dimorphos via Light Italian CubeSat for imaging of asteroids (LICIACube)
On September 26th 2022, LICIACube monitored Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission impact on asteroid Dimorphos, which is the smaller component of a binary asteroid system. These close observations revealed the impact ejecta features of the first planetary defence test with a kinetic impactor.
- Elisabetta Dotto
- & Angelo Zinzi
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Article
| Open AccessUracil in the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu
Uracil was identified in the sample returned from the asteroid Ryugu. Having been provided to the early Earth as a component in such asteroidal materials, these molecules might have played a role for prebiotic chemical evolution on the early Earth
- Yasuhiro Oba
- , Toshiki Koga
- & Yuichi Tsuda
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| Open AccessInsights into the formation and evolution of extraterrestrial amino acids from the asteroid Ryugu
Amino acid concentrations from 2 particles returned from different touchdown sites on the surface of Ryugu are reported. Differences in chemistry suggest different levels of aqueous alteration are recorded at the 2 sampled locations.
- Christian Potiszil
- , Tsutomu Ota
- & Eizo Nakamura
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Comment
| Open AccessPlanetary defense with the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and prospects
NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission intentionally impacted the asteroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, and this kinetic impact changed Dimorphos’ orbit around its binary companion Didymos. This first planetary defense test explored technological readiness for this method of asteroid deflection.
- Andrew S. Rivkin
- & Andrew F. Cheng
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Article
| Open AccessChondrule-like objects and Ca-Al-rich inclusions in Ryugu may potentially be the oldest Solar System materials
Chondrule-like objects and CAIs in the Ryugu samples are early generations of chondrules and possibly oldest solids in the Solar System. They were transported from the inner solar nebula to the formation location of the Ryugu original parent body.
- Daisuke Nakashima
- , Tomoki Nakamura
- & Yuichi Tsuda
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| Open AccessConstraining surface properties of asteroid (162173) Ryugu from numerical simulations of Hayabusa2 mission impact experiment
Hayabusa2 mission impact experiment on asteroid Ryugu formed a crater larger than expected. Here, the authors show numerical impact simulations and find that the target cohesion may be very low, indicating the Hayabusa2 impact experiment probably occurred in the transitional cratering regime.
- Martin Jutzi
- , Sabina D. Raducan
- & Masahiko Arakawa
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Article
| Open AccessInferring interiors and structural history of top-shaped asteroids from external properties of asteroid (101955) Bennu
Asteroid interiors are key to understand their formation and evolution. Here, the authors show that numerically simulated low-cohesion and low-friction structures with several high-cohesion internal zones can explain asteroid Bennu’s geophysical characteristics and the absence of the moons.
- Yun Zhang
- , Patrick Michel
- & Dante S. Lauretta
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Article
| Open AccessIdentification and characterization of a new ensemble of cometary organic molecules
A new analysis of Rosetta mass spectra reveals an ensemble of complex organic molecules with striking similarities to other organic reservoirs in the Solar System, including Saturn’s ring rain material, pointing at a likely joint prestellar history.
- N. Hänni
- , K. Altwegg
- & S. F. Wampfler
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Article
| Open AccessThe formation of Haumea and its family via binary merging
Formation of the Haumea family, the only collisional group of icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, is debated. Here, the authors show that Haumea family can be explained as a results of binary merging near the end of Neptune’s orbital migration.
- Benjamin Proudfoot
- & Darin Ragozzine
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-scale cryovolcanic resurfacing on Pluto
Giant icy volcanos (cryovolcanos) on Pluto are unique in the imaged solar system and provide evidence for unexpected, active geology late in Pluto’s history.
- Kelsi N. Singer
- , Oliver L. White
- & Kimberly Ennico-Smith
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Article
| Open AccessBrine residues and organics in the Urvara basin on Ceres
The authors report the discovery of salts and fresh organic-rich exposures in the Urvara basin, possibly linked to a late resurfacing of the crater floor. These results are consistent with a deep-seated brine/salt reservoir in the crust of Ceres.
- A. Nathues
- , M. Hoffmann
- & J. H. Pasckert
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Article
| Open AccessExogenic origin for the volatiles sampled by the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite impact
The water and other volatiles observed in the LCROSS impact plume contained too much nitrogen to have originated from volcanic outgassing. These volatiles, stored in the top 1-3 meters of the Cabeus permanently shaded region, were delivered by comet impacts.
- K. E. Mandt
- , O. Mousis
- & A. Luspay-Kuti
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Article
| Open AccessOrbital stability analysis and photometric characterization of the second Earth Trojan asteroid 2020 XL5
Although Trojan asteroids have been known for decades in other Solar System planets, only one Earth Trojan asteroid was detected. Here, the authors show that recently discovered 2020 XL5 is the second transient Earth Trojan asteroid.
- T. Santana-Ros
- , M. Micheli
- & L. Conversi
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| Open AccessMid-infrared emissivity of partially dehydrated asteroid (162173) Ryugu shows strong signs of aqueous alteration
Spectral characteristics can be used to link asteroid and meteorite materials. Here, the authors show in-situ mid-infrared data of a boulder on asteroid Ryugu, compared with laboratory spectra of various meteorites, indicate that Ryugu experienced strong aqueous alteration prior to dehydration.
- M. Hamm
- , M. Grott
- & S. Sugita
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Article
| Open AccessA bimodal distribution of haze in Pluto’s atmosphere
Pluto’s haze is revealed to have two types of particles: small spherical organic haze particles and micron-size fluffy aggregates. The persistence of these two populations has important implications for haze formation and properties on icy worlds.
- Siteng Fan
- , Peter Gao
- & Yuk L. Yung
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| Open AccessSpectrally blue hydrated parent body of asteroid (162173) Ryugu
Both poles of asteroid Ryugu, the target of space mission Hayabusa2, preserve the least processed material by space weathering. Here, the authors show detection of 700 nm absorption band in the polar spectra of Ryugu, that allows to constrain the hydrothermal history of its spectrally blue parent body.
- Eri Tatsumi
- , Naoya Sakatani
- & Seiji Sugita
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Article
| Open AccessUltrafast olivine-ringwoodite transformation during shock compression
Meteorites from space often include denser polymorphs of their minerals, providing records of past hypervelocity collisions. An olivine mineral crystal was shock-compressed by a high-power laser, and its transformation into denser ringwoodite was time-resolved using an X-ray free electron laser.
- Takuo Okuchi
- , Yusuke Seto
- & Norimasa Ozaki
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Article
| Open AccessUnusual polarimetric properties for interstellar comet 2I/Borisov
Polarimetry provides information about physical characteristics of cometary dust. Here, the authors show that the polarization of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov exceeds the typical values for comets, and this together with its polarimetrically homogenous coma suggests a more pristine nature of the object.
- S. Bagnulo
- , A. Cellino
- & M. Devogèle
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| Open AccessDwarf planet (1) Ceres surface bluing due to high porosity resulting from sublimation
The origin of blue ejecta around the fresh craters of dwarf planet Ceres is unknown. Here, the authors show that the blue color results from high porosity of the surface, induced by sublimation of ice-phyllosilicate mixture produced by impacts.
- Stefan E. Schröder
- , Olivier Poch
- & Bernard Schmitt
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Article
| Open AccessExtraterrestrial hexamethylenetetramine in meteorites—a precursor of prebiotic chemistry in the inner solar system
This manuscript tackles the origin of organic molecules in carbonaceous meteorites. Identifying hexamethylenetetramine in three carbonaceous meteorites, the authors propose formation from ammonia and formaldehyde by photochemical and thermal reactions in the interstellar medium, followed by the incorporation into planetary systems.
- Yasuhiro Oba
- , Yoshinori Takano
- & Shogo Tachibana
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Article
| Open AccessEquatorial mountains on Pluto are covered by methane frosts resulting from a unique atmospheric process
Pluto is covered by numerous deposits of methane. Here, the authors show that the formation of methane frost on mountain tops and crater rims in Pluto’s equatorial regions completely differ from those forming snow-capped mountains on Earth.
- Tanguy Bertrand
- , François Forget
- & William M. Grundy
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Article
| Open AccessA transient enhancement of Mercury’s exosphere at extremely high altitudes inferred from pickup ions
Mercury has a global dayside exosphere that is very tenuous and does not extend far from the planet. Here, the authors show enhancement of neutral densities at high altitudes inferred from pickup ions that is most likely caused by the impact of a meteroid.
- Jamie M. Jasinski
- , Leonardo H. Regoli
- & Neil Murphy
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| Open AccessImpact heat driven volatile redistribution at Occator crater on Ceres as a comparative planetary process
Dawn mission’s second extended phase provided high resolution observations of Occator crater of the dwarf planet Ceres. Here, the authors show stereo imaging and topographic maps of this crater revealing the influence of crustal composition on impact related melt and hydrothermal processes, and compare features to those on Mars, Earth and the Moon.
- P. Schenk
- , J. Scully
- & C. Raymond
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| Open AccessThe varied sources of faculae-forming brines in Ceres’ Occator crater emplaced via hydrothermal brine effusion
The second extended phase of the Dawn mission provided high resolution observations of Occator crater of the dwarf planet Ceres. Here, the authors show that the central faculae were sourced in an impact-induced melt chamber, with a contribution from the deep brine reservoir, while the Vinalia Faculae were sourced by the deep brine reservoir alone.
- J. E. C. Scully
- , P. M. Schenk
- & C. T. Russell
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| Open AccessIn situ evidence of thermally induced rock breakdown widespread on Bennu’s surface
In their study, the authors discuss the potential of thermal weathering on airless bodies. As a case study, they use boulder and fracture morphologies on asteroid Bennu.
- J. L. Molaro
- , K. J. Walsh
- & D. S. Lauretta
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Article
| Open AccessCollisional formation of top-shaped asteroids and implications for the origins of Ryugu and Bennu
Asteroid shapes and hydration levels can serve as tracers of their history and origin. Here, the authors show top shape asteroids can form directly through gravitational reaccumulation and rubble piles formed in a single disruption can have similar porosities but variable degrees of hydration.
- P. Michel
- , R.-L. Ballouz
- & D. S. Lauretta
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Article
| Open AccessA steeply-inclined trajectory for the Chicxulub impact
The authors here present a 3D model that simulates the formation of the Chicxulub impact crater. Based on asymmetries in the subsurface structure of the Chicxulub crater, the authors diagnose impact angle and direction and suggest a steeply inclined (60° to horizontal) impact from the northeast.
- G. S. Collins
- , N. Patel
- & T. J. Bralower
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Article
| Open AccessNear-infrared observations of active asteroid (3200) Phaethon reveal no evidence for hydration
The surface of active asteroid (3200) Phaethon, parent body of the Geminid meteor shower, reaches temperatures sufficient to destabilize hydrated materials. Here, the authors show that the northern hemisphere and the equatorial region of this asteroid reveal no evidence of hydration in the near-infrared spectra.
- Driss Takir
- , Theodore Kareta
- & Tomoko Arai
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Article
| Open AccessEvidence of metasomatism in the interior of Vesta
The authors here analyse the petrology of the meteorite NWA 8321 (parent body Vesta). They find sulfidation processes of olivine suggesting metasomatism in the Vestan interior and a partial melting origin for the host noritic diogenite.
- Ai-Cheng Zhang
- , Noriyuki Kawasaki
- & Hisayoshi Yurimoto
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| Open AccessIron whiskers on asteroid Itokawa indicate sulfide destruction by space weathering
The authors here investigate troilite (FeS) grains recovered from the regolith of asteroid Itokawa. Finding wide-spread occurrence of metallic iron whiskers, the authors suggest them to be a decomposition product formed through irradiation of the sulfide by energetic ions of the solar wind.
- Toru Matsumoto
- , Dennis Harries
- & Takaaki Noguchi
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| Open AccessThe European Space Agency’s Comet Interceptor lies in wait
The European Space Agency (ESA) recently selected Comet Interceptor as its first ‘fast’ (F-class) mission. It will be developed rapidly to share a launch with another mission and is unique, as it will wait in space for a yet-to-be-discovered comet.
- Colin Snodgrass
- & Geraint H Jones
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| Open AccessThe operational environment and rotational acceleration of asteroid (101955) Bennu from OSIRIS-REx observations
Vicinity of small bodies might be dangerous to the spacecrafts and to their instrumentation. Here the authors show the operational environment of asteroid Bennu, validate its photometric phase function and demonstrate the accelerating rotational rate due to YORP effect using the data acquired during the approach phase of OSIRIS-REx mission.
- C. W. Hergenrother
- , C. K. Maleszewski
- & B. Marty
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Article
| Open AccessEvidence for igneous differentiation in Sudbury Igneous Complex and impact-driven evolution of terrestrial planet proto-crusts
It remains controversial whether or not impact melt sheets produced by asteroid impacts were able to undergo large-scale igneous differentiation. Here the authors present evidence for large igneous differentiation in one of these sheets and argue that this process has contributed to the evolution and lithological diversity of the proto-crusts on terrestrial planets.
- Rais Latypov
- , Sofya Chistyakova
- & Hannu Huhma
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| Open AccessSilica-rich volcanism in the early solar system dated at 4.565 Ga
Achondritic meteorites can record volcanism and crust formation on planetesimals in the early Solar System. Here, the authors date the Northwest Africa 11119 meteorite with an Al-Mg age of 4564.8 ± 0.3 Ma indicating that this is the earliest evidence of silicic volcanism in the Solar System to date.
- Poorna Srinivasan
- , Daniel R. Dunlap
- & Francis M. McCubbin
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Correspondence
| Open AccessOn the origin of molecular oxygen in cometary comae
- K. L. Heritier
- , K. Altwegg
- & E Vigren
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Correspondence
| Open AccessReply to “On the origin of molecular oxygen in cometary comae”
- Y. Yao
- & K. P. Giapis
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Article
| Open AccessExtremely strong polarization of an active asteroid (3200) Phaethon
(3200) Phaethon is a near-Earth asteroid discovered in 1983 that has large inclination and eccentricity. Here, the authors perform polarimetric observation of Phaethon over a wide range of solar phase angle and report that the asteroid exhibits a very strong linear polarization.
- Takashi Ito
- , Masateru Ishiguro
- & Kiyoshi Kuramoto
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Article
| Open AccessOrbital bistatic radar observations of asteroid Vesta by the Dawn mission
The Dawn spacecraft has provided orbital bistatic radar observations of a small body in the solar system. Here, the authors present results from Vesta suggesting that smooth terrains with heightened hydrogen concentrations indicate that ground-ice presence potentially helped shape Vesta’s current surface texture.
- Elizabeth M. Palmer
- , Essam Heggy
- & Wlodek Kofman
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic molecular oxygen production in cometary comae
Abundant molecular oxygen was discovered recently in the coma of comet 67P, thought to be of primordial origin. Here, the authors propose a dynamic reaction mechanism for cometary comae, which produces O2directly in single collisions of energetic water ions with oxidized cometary surface analogues.
- Yunxi Yao
- & Konstantinos P. Giapis
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Article
| Open AccessMeasurement of the cosmic optical background using the long range reconnaissance imager on New Horizons
The cosmic optical background is an important cosmological observable. Here the authors show that a direct observation of the background brightness from the outer solar system can be obtained by the LORRI instrument aboard the New Horizons mission, on the basis of data acquired between Jupiter and Uranus.
- Michael Zemcov
- , Poppy Immel
- & Andrew R. Poppe
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Article
| Open AccessThe missing large impact craters on Ceres
Studying craters on atmosphere-less bodies can unlock information about planetesimal histories. Here, Marchi et al. present results from the NASA Dawn mission to Ceres showing that craters >100–150 km in size are largely absent, and find that Ceres’ internal evolution is responsible for their absence.
- S. Marchi
- , A. I. Ermakov
- & C. T. Russell
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Article
| Open AccessAn asteroidal origin for water in the Moon
Recent samples have shown that the Moon's interior, previously thought to be anhydrous, contains water, yet how this water was delivered is unclear. Here, using isotopic analyses and modelling, Barnes et al. show that carbonaceous chondrite-type objects delivered >80% of the Moon's bulk water.
- Jessica J. Barnes
- , David A. Kring
- & Sara S. Russell
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Vortex magnetic structure in framboidal magnetite reveals existence of water droplets in an ancient asteroid
Meteorite mineralogy can provide a window into the conditions of the early Solar System, including how and when water disappeared from asteroids. Kimura et al.use nanometre-scale palaeomagnetics to reveal vestigial traces of water in the Type 2 Tagish Lake meteorite and unravel its formation history.
- Yuki Kimura
- , Takeshi Sato
- & Kazuo Yamamoto
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Evidence for the late formation of hydrous asteroids from young meteoritic carbonates
Dating the age of meteorites can tell us when asteroids formed, but uncertainty remains in the Mn–Cr chronometry. This study presents a method for improving Mn/Cr determination and reports an age of 4,563.4 million years ago for carbonates in CM chondrites, which is younger than previous estimates.
- Wataru Fujiya
- , Naoji Sugiura
- & Yuji Sano