The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia telescope has discovered over 350 potential moons orbiting asteroids, almost doubling the known number of binary asteroid systems in our solar system. These findings provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, revealing information about collisions and the distribution of water and organic molecules.
The European Space Agency’s Gaia mission has uncovered a treasure trove of potential moons orbiting asteroids, nearly doubling the number of known binary asteroid systems. This discovery highlights the power of Gaia’s data and opens up new avenues for exploring the dynamics of our solar system.
A new study has revealed the secrets behind the unusual shapes of tiny asteroids like Dimorphos and Selam. Researchers have discovered that the moonlets’ unique forms are influenced by the gravitational force of their parent asteroid and the nature of collisions they experience with other rocky objects. The findings suggest that such oddly shaped asteroids might be more prevalent than previously believed.
