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Strange Asteroids Baffle Scientists

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the science-rocks dept.

Raver32 writes to mention that two nearby asteroids may be evidence of a new class of asteroid or long eroded mini-world. Mineral evidence gathered using photometric data shows these asteroids to contain basalt not normally found in asteroid belt objects. "The lack of basalt and another mineral, olivine, in asteroid belt objects has long puzzled scientists. These two minerals would have formed the crust and mantle, respectively, of belt objects the size of Vesta or larger; theory predicts that more than half of all asteroids should be composed of one or the other of these substances"

13 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe they're not thinking out of the box. by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's no asteroid....

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  2. More missing stuff by Silver+Sloth · · Score: 3, Funny
    From TFA

    "Roughly 99 percent of the stuff we expect to see [in the asteroid belt] is missing." I'm no astronomer but what with 'dark matter' and now this it seems that an awful lot of the universe is 'missing'.
    --
    init 11 - for when you need that edge.
    1. Re:More missing stuff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Most of it's probably hiding in a cave in southern Afghanistan.

  3. New class of asteroid by Joe+Random · · Score: 5, Funny

    two nearby asteroids may be evidence of a new class of asteroid One of the major distinguishing features of this new class of asteroid is that, when leaving the telescope's field of view, they reappear on the opposite edge.
  4. Asteriods hurt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    My sedentary job gives me frequent cases of Asteroids ,I have no clue what color they are, but Damn they hurt!!

  5. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by russ1337 · · Score: 3, Funny

    >>> This is why scientists are generally not leaders.

    Oh yeah? Then Explain THIS GUY

  6. about missing matter by superdos · · Score: 2, Funny

    maybe that little triangular spaceship finally made his way and succeeded blowing some asteroids up.

    --
    Faster than a Speeding Byte!
  7. Re:so let me get this straight... by He+Who+Waits · · Score: 2, Funny

    Global warming.

  8. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by Chosen+Reject · · Score: 2, Funny

    I will admit to you that I am baffled as to why the RIAA is involved in a court case concerning the downloading of a movie.

    --
    Stop Global Warming!
    Just say no to irreversible processes!
  9. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by king-manic · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sure, because he's obviously the first honest candidate in recorded history.

    Would appearing baffled be enough? The current prez would then take the title. HE appears baffled at every question and then proceeds to answer a different one then the one asked.

    --
    "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
  10. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by Darby · · Score: 2, Funny

    these scientists seem to delight on admitting they are baffled at the drop of a hat.

    Come now, they haven't been baffled at the drop of a hat since Newton ;-)

  11. Re:Hint to the Scientists... by geobeck · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe you should run Clippy...

    "I see you're trying to start a flame war by inserting pseudo-religious dogma into a scientific discussion. Can I help you with that?"

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    Find environmentally and socially responsible products on http://buy-right.net
  12. Re:Hint to the Scientists... by GaryPatterson · · Score: 2, Funny

    So that's why Office takes up 525MB on my hard drive. It's all those files for Clippy to 'help' in every imaginable circumstance. I should turn that feature back on.

    "I see you're filling in the form to create a new company under Australian law. Can I help you with that?"
    "I see you're cooking steak for dinner tonight and are wondering about the sauce. Can I help you with that?"
    "I see you're looking to buy good house in an inner city suburb, but not one of those suburbs bought out by the rich, just a nice place with good nightlife. Oh - and the house needs to be free-standing with a garden and ideally some sort of city view. Maybe a pool nearby and definitely good public transport. Can I help you with that?"

    Go Clippy!