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More Water Out There — Ice Found On an Asteroid

Posted by timothy on from the if-it-was-only-italian-ice dept.

Matt_dk writes "For the first time, astronomers have confirmed that an asteroid contains frozen water on its surface. Analysis of asteroid 24 Themis shows evidence of water ice along with organic compounds widespread across the surface. The scientists say these new findings support the theory that asteroids brought both water and organic compounds to the early Earth, helping lay the foundation for life on the planet."

5 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Rain happens when God cries by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Water and organic material scattered across the universe happens when God sneezes.

    God bless you!

  2. No nuclear because of eco loons by Viol8 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    If anyone were to even suggest it you'd get the usual hippies waving their stupid banners outside NASA HQ. NASA had enough hassle launching various robotic probes, eg cassini, with small RTGs abort because of the usual It'll-kill-us-all if the launch fails morons.

    1. Re:No nuclear because of eco loons by belthize · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      It has nothing to do with the 'usual hippies' and everything to do with the '63 Partial Test Ban Treaty. It's against the law until we re-write, ratify that treaty.

      I get hating 'the other guy' but try to hate them for things they've actually done rather than irrationally applying every perceived slight to them.

    2. Re:No nuclear because of eco loons by Viol8 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      The test ban treaty covers nuclear weapons in space, not nuclear reactors.

    3. Re:No nuclear because of eco loons by belthize · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      First, the test ban treaty covers nuclear detonations. The ban doesn't address 'weapons in space' it covers further testing of detonations in any medium other than underground (ie water, surface, atmosphere and space).

      Secondly a nuclear reactor is an excellent mechanism for generating heat, not an overly good mechanism for generating propulsion in space. Nuclear propulsion in space is via 'pulse propulsion', essentially a series of nuclear detonations which unfortunately are directly covered by the Partial Test Ban Treaty.