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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"

5 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. 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.
  3. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by pete-classic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That's the thing about Science. Figuring out that you don't understand something is considered an important part of progress. In those other disciplines it's the ultimate failure.

    -Peter

  4. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by dbolger · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Would you vote for a politican who admitted that he was delightfully baffled by questions of how to fix the economy? Would you hire a manager who eagerly told people that he had no idea how to rally sales or improve worker morale?

    I can imagine sitting in court as the RIAA shows a jury undeniable evidence that I have downloaded and shared the newly released Bratz movie. I know I didn't do it, but turning to my lawyer to see his reaction, I am faced with his goofy grin and shrugging shoulders. Uh-oh.

    Science is the only field (that I can think of) where being stumped could be considered anything other than a bad outcome. That's what sets it apart from other fields.

  5. Re:Wish more people would fess up their bafflement by cathector · · Score: 5, Insightful

    it's not *being* stumped that's so great,
    what the parent is lauding is *admitting* when you're stumped.